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JULIUS CAESAR, 



♦X 



WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE. 



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ARRANGEMEN 

OF THE 

Ducal Saxon-Meiningen Court Theatre. 



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. GOLDMANN, 8TEAM PRIMER, 7-11 NEW CHAMBERS ST., 



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XDrarsiatis Personse. 



Julius C^sar. 

M" k A cus S ANTomus,} " iumvirs af,er ,he death ° f J ulius C * sar ' 

Cicero, ) 

Publius, > senators. 

Popilius Lena, J 

Marcus Brutus, ) 

Cassius, 

Casca, 

Trebonius, j- conspirators against Julius Caesar. 

Decius Brutus, 

Metellus Cimber, I 

ClNNA, j 

Flavius, ) 4ribune8 . 

Marullus j 

Artemidorus of CJnidos, a teacher of Rhetoric. 

A Soothsayer. 

Cinna, a poet. 

Lucilius, ) 

_TlTINIUS, 

"Messala, }► friends to Brutus and Cassius. 
Young Cato, I 
Volumnius, J 
Clitus, 1 

Claudius, 

Strato, ^servants to Brutus. 

Lucius, 
Dardanius, J 

Pindarus, servant to Cassius. 
Calpurnia, wife to Caesar. 
Portia, wife to Brutus. 
Servant to Julius Caesar. 
Servant to Octavius Caesar. 
Servant to Antonius. 

Senators, Citizens, Guards, Attendants, &c. 

Scene: Route: the neighborhood of Sardr's: tJie neigJiborhood of Philippic 



ACT I. 

Scene I. Rome. — A Street 
Enter Flavius, MarumjUS, and certain Commoners. 

Flav. Hence ! home, you idle creatures, get you 

home ; 
Is this a holiday ? what ! know you not, 
Being mechanical, you ought not walk 
Upon a laboring day without the sign 
Of your profession ? Speak, what trade art thou ? 

First Com. Why, sir, a carpenter. 

Mar. Where is thy leather apron and thy rule ? 
What dost thou with thy best apparel on ? 
Yon, sir, what trade are you ? 

Sec. Com. Truly, sir, in respect of a fine work- / 
man, I am but, as you would say, a cobbler. 

Mar. But what trade art thou? answer me 
directly. 

Sec. Com. A trade, sir, that, I hope, I may use 
with a safe conscience ; which is, indeed, sir, a 
mender of bad soles. 

Mar. What trade, thou knave ? thou naughty 
knave, what trade ? 

Sec. Com. Nay, I beseech you, sir, be not out 
with me ; yet, if you be out, sir, I can mend you. 

Mar. What meanest thou by that ? mend me, 
thou saucy fellow ! X& 

Sec. Com. Why, sir, cobble you. 

Flav. Thou art a cobbler, art thou ? 

Sec. Com. Truly, sir, I am, indeed, sir, a surgeon 
to old shoes : when they are in great danger, I re- 
cover them. As proper men as ever trod upon 
neat's leather have gone upon my handiwork. 

Flav. But wherefore art not in thy shop to-day ? 
Why dost thou lead these men about the streets ? 

Sec. Com. Truly, sir, to wear out their shoes, to 
get myself into more work. But, indeed, sir, we 



2 JULIUS CMS AR, 

make holiday, to see Caesar and to rejoice in bis 
triumph. 

flfCir. Wherefore rejoice I. What conquest brings 

r he home ? 
You blocks, you stones, you worse than senseless 

things ! 
Knew you not Pompey ? Many a time and oft 
Have you climb'd up to walls and battlements, 
To towers and windows, yea, to chimney-tops, . 
Ynur infants in your arms, and there have sat 
The live-long day, with patient expectation, 
To see great Pompey pass the streets of Rome ; 
And when you saw his chariot but appear, 
Have you not made an universal shout, 
That Tiber trembled underneath her banks, 
And do you now cull out a holiday ? 
And do you how strew flowers in his way 
That comes in triumph over Pompey's blood ! 
Be gone ! 

Run to your houses, fall upon your knees, 
Pray to the gods to intermit the plague 
That needs must light on this ingratitude. 
See, whether their basest metal be not moved ; 
They vanish tong-tied in their guiltiness. 
Go you down that way towards the Capitol ; 
This way will I : disrobe the images, 
If you do find them deck'd with ceremonies. 

Mar. May we do so ? 
You know it is the feast of Lupercal. 

Fltw. It is no matter ; let no images 
Be hung with Caesar's trophies. I'll about, 
And drive away the vulgar from the streets ; 
So do you too, where you perceive them thick. 
These growing feathers pluck'd from Caesar's wing, 
Will make him fly on ordinary pitch, 
Who else would soar above the view of men 
And keep us all in servile fearfulness. [Exeunt 



JULIUS GJESAR. 3 

Flourish. Enter Caesar ; Antony, for the course ; 

Calpurnia, Portia, Pectus, Cicero, Brutus, 

Oassius and Casca ; a great crowd following, among 

them a Soothsayer. 

Cces. Calpurnia ! 

Casca. Peace, ho ! Caesar speaks. 

Cces. Calpurnia ! 

Cat. Here, my lord. 

Cces. Stand you directly in Antonius' way, 
When he doth run his course. Antonius I 

Ant. Caesar, my lord ? 

Cces.. Forget not, in your speed, Antonius, 
To touch Calpurnia ; for our elders say, 
The barren touched in this holy chase, 
Shake off their sterile curse. 

Ant. I shall remember ; 

When Caesar says ' do this,' it is perform'd. 

Cces. Set on ; and leave no ceremony out. 

[Flourish. 

Sooth. Caesar ! 

Cces. Hah ! who calls ? 

Casca. Bid every noise be still : peace yet again! 

C<£s. Who is it in the press that calls on me ? 
I hear a tongue, shriller than all the music, 
Cry * Caesar ! * Speak ; Caesar is turn'd to hear. 

Sooth. Beware the Ides of March. 

Cces. What man is that ? 

Bru. A soothsayer bids you beware the Ides of 
March. 

Cces. Set him before me ; let me see his face. 

Cas. Fellow, come from the throng ; look upon 
Caesar. 

Cces. What say'st thou to me now ; speak once 
again. 

Sooth. Beware the Ides of March. 

Cces. He is a dreamer ; let us leave him ; pass. 
[Sennet. Exeunt all but Brutus and Cassius. 

Cas. Will you go see the order of the course ? 



4 JULIUS CJESAK % 

Bru. Not I. 

Cas. I pray you, do. 

Bru. I am not gamesome ; I do lack some part 
Of that quick spirit that is in Antony. 
Let me not hinder, Cassius, your desires ; 
I'll leave you. 

Cas. Brutus, I do observe you now of late ; 
I have not from your eyes that gentleness 
Aud show of love as I was won't to have : 
You bear too stubborn and too strange a hand 
Over your friend that loves you. 

Bru. Cassius, 

Be not deceived ; if I have veil'd my look, 
I turn the trouble of my countenance 
Merely upon myself. Vexed I am 
Of late with passions of some difference, 
But let not therefore my good friends be grieved — 
Among which number, Cassius, be you one — 

Cas. Then, Brutus, I have much mistook your 
passion. 
By means whereof this breast of mine hath buried 
Thoughts of great value, worthy cogitations. 
Tell me, good Brutus, can you see your face ? 

Bru. No, Cassius ; for the eye sees not itself, 
But by reflection, by some other things. 

Cas. 'Tis just ; 
And it is very much lamented, Brutus, 
That you have no such mirrors as will turn 
Your hidden worthiness into your eye, 
That you might see your shadow. I have heard, 
Where many of the best respect in Borne, 
Except immortal Csesar, speaking of Brutus 
And groaning underneath this age's yoke, 
Have wish'd that noble Brutus had his eyes. 

Bru. Into what dangers would you lead me, 
Cassius. 
That you would have me seek into myself 
For that which is not in me ? 



JULIUS CJESAR. 5 

Cas. I will modestly discover to yourself 
That of yourself which you yet know not of, 
And be not jealous on me, gentle Brutus ; 
Were I a common laugher, or did use 
To stale with ordinary oaths my love 
To every new protester ; if you know 
That I do fawn on men and hug them hard 
And after scandal them ; or if you know 
That I profess myself in banqueting 
To all the rout, then hold me dangerous. 

[Flourish and shout. 

Bru. What means this shouting ? I do fear, 
the people, 
Choose Caesar for their king. 

Cas. Ay. do you fear it ? 

Then must I think you would not have it so. 

Bru. I would not, Cassius ; yet I love him well. 
But wherefore do you hold me here so long ? 
What is it that you would impart to me ? 
If it be ought toward the general good, 
Set honor in one eye and death i' the other, 
And I will look on both indifferently, 
For let the gods so speed me as I love. 
The name of honor more than I fear death. 

Cas. I know that virtue to be in you, Brutus, 
Well, honor is the subject of my story. 
I cannot tell what you and other men 
Think of this life ; but for my single self, 
I had as lief not be as live to be 
In awe of such a thing as I myself. 
I was born free as Caesar ; so were you ; 
We both have fed as well, and we can both 
Endure the winter's cold as well as he ; 
For once, upon a raw and gusty day, 
The troubled Tiber chafing with her shores, 
Caesar said to me * Darest thou, Cassius, now 
Leap in with me into this angry flood, 
And swim to yonder point ? ' Upon the word, 



G JULIUS CJESAH, 

Accoutred as I was, I plunged in 

And bade him follow ; so indeed he did. 

The torrent roar'd, and we did buffet it 

With lust j sinews, throwing it aside 

And stemming it with hearts of controversy ; 

But ere we could arrive the point proposed, 

Caesar cried ' Help me, Cassius, or I sink ! * 

I, as iEneas, our great ancestor, 

Did from the flames of Troy upon his shoulder 

The old Anchises bear, so from the waves of Tiber 

Did I the tired Caesar ; and this man 

Is now become a god, and Cassius is 

A wretched creature and must bend his body, 

If Caesar carelessly but nod on him. 

He had a fever when he was in Spain, 

And when the fit was on him, I did mark 

How he did shake : 'tis true, this god did shake : 

His coward lips did from their color fly, 

And that same eye whose bend doth awe the world 

Did lose his lustre ; I did hear him groan ; 

Ay, and that tongue of his that bade the Romans 

Mark him and wiite his speeches in their books, 

Alas, it cried ' Give me some drink, Titinius, • 

As a sick girl. Ye gods ! it doth amaze me 

A man of such a f eeble temper should 

So get the start of the majestic world 

And bear the palm alone. [Shout. Flourish. 

Bru. Another general shout ! 
I do believe that these applauses are 
For some new honors that are heap'd on Caesar. 

Cas. Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow 
world 
Like a Colossus, and we petty men 
Walk under his huge legs and peep about 
To find ourselves dishonorable graves. 
Men at some time are masters of their fates : 
The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, 
But in ourselves, that we are underlings. 



JULIUS CJEiAft. 7 

Brutus and Caesar : what .should be mthat ' Caesar' ? 
Why should that name be sounded more than yours ? 
Write them together, yours is as fair a name ; 
Sound them, it doth become the mouth as well ; 
AVeigh them, it is as heavy ; conjure with 'em, 
Brutus will start a spirit as soon as Caesar. 

[Shout. Flour tali. 
Now is it Rome indeed and room enough, 
When there is in it but one only man. 
O, you and I have heard our fathers say, 
There was a Brutus once that would have brook' d 
The eternal devil to keep his state in Rome 
As easily as a king. 

Bru. That you do love me, I am nothing jealous ? 
What you would work me to, I have some aim ; 
How I have thought of this and of these times, 
I shall recount hereafter ; for this present, 
I would not. so with love I might entreat you, 
Be any further moved. What you have said 
I will consider ; what you have to say 
I will with patience hear, and find a time 
Both meet to hear and answer such high things. 
Till then, my noble friend, chew upon this : 
Brutus had rather be a villager 
Than to repute himself a son of Borne 
Under these hard conditions as this time 
Is like to lay upon us. *^ 

Cas. lam glad that my weak words 
Have struck but thus much show of fire from Brutus. 

Bru. The games are done and Caesar is returning. 

Cas. As they pass by, pluck Casca by the sleeve ; 
And he will, after his sour fashion, tell you 
What hath proceeded worthy note to-day. 
Re-enter Caesar and his Train. 

Bru. I will do so. But, look you, Cassius, 
The angry spot doth glow on Caesar's brow, 
And all the rest look like a chidden train : 
Calpurnia's cheek is pale ; and Cicero 



8 JULIUS CjESAR. 

Looks with such ferret and such fiery eyes 

As we have seen him in the Capitol, 

Being cross'd in conference by some senators. 

Cas. Casca will tell us what the matter is. 

Cces. Antonius ! 

Ant. Caesar ? 

Cces. Let me have men about me that are fat : 
Sleek-headed men and such as sleep o' nights : 
Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look ; 
He thinks too much ; such men are dangerous. 

Ant. Fear him not, Caesar ; he's not dangerous ; 
He's a noble Roman and well given. 

Cces. Would he were fatter ! But I fear him not : 
Yet if my name were liable to fear, 
I do not know the man I should avoid 
So soon as that spare Cassius. He reads much ; 
He is a great observer and he looks 
Quite through the deeds of men ; he loves no plays. 
As thou dost, Antony ; he hears no music ; 
Seldom he smiles, and smiles in such a sort 
As if he mock'd himself and scorn'd his spirit 
That could be moved to smile at any thiDg. 
Such men as he be never at heart's ease 
Whilst they behold a greater than themselves, 
And therefore are they very dangerous. 
I rather tell thee what is to be fear'd 
Than what I fear ; for always I am Caesar. 
Come on my right hand, for this ear is deaf, 
And tell me truly what thou think' st of him. 

[Sennet. Exeunt Ccesar and all his Train but Casca. 

Casca. You pull'd me by the cloak ; would you 
speak with me ? 

Bru. Ay, Casca ; tell us what hath chanced to-day, 
That Caesar looks so sad. 

Casca. Why, you were with him, were you not ? 

Bru. I should not then ask Casca what had 
chanced. 

Casca. Why, there was a crown offered him ; and 



JULIUS CAESAR. 9 

being offered him, lie put it by with the back of his 
hand, thus ; and then the people fell a-shouting. 

Bru. What was the second noise for ? 

Casca. Why, for that too. 

Cas. They shouted thrice ; what was the last cry 
for? 

Casca. Why, for that too. 

Bru. Was the crown offered him thrice ? 

Casca. Ay, marry, was't, and he put it by thrice, 
every time gentler than other, and at every puttiDg- 
by mine honest neighbors shouted. 

Cas. Who offered him the crown ? 

Casca. Why, Antony. 

Bru. Tell us the manner of it, gentle Casca. 

Casca. I can as well be hanged as tell the man- 
ner of it : it was mere foolery ; I did not mark it. I 
saw Mark Antony offer him a crown ; — yet 'twas not 
a crown neither, 'twas one of these coronets ; — and, 
as I told you, he put it by once ; but, for all that, 
to my thinking, he would fain have had it. Then 
he offered it to him again ; then he put it by again ; 
but, to my thinking, he was very loath to lay his 
fingers off it. And then he offered it the third 
time ; he put it the third time by ; and still as he 
refused it, the rabblement shouted and dapped 
their chopt hands and threw up their sweaty night- 
caps, and uttered such a deal of stinking breath 
because Caesar refused the crown, that it had al- 
most choked Caesar ; for he swounded and fell 
down at it ; and for mine own part, I durst not 
laugh, for fear of opening my lips and receiving 
the bad air. 

Cas. But, soft, I pray you : what, did Caesar 
swound ? 

Casca. He fell down in the market-place, and 
foamed at mouth, and was speechless. 

Bru. 'Tis very like : he hath the falling sickness. 



10 JULIUS CUESAR. 

Cas. No, Caesar hath it not ; but you. and I 
And honest Casca, we have the falling sickness. 

Cased. I know not what you mean by that ; 
but, I am sure, Ca3sar fell down. If the tag-rag 
people did not clap him and hiss him, according 
as he pleased and displeased them, as they use to do 
the players in the theatre, I am no true man. 

Bru. What said he when he came unto himself ? 

Casca. Marry, before he fell down, when he per- 
ceived the common herd was glad he refused the 
crown, he plucked me ope his doublet and offered 
them his throat to cut. An I had been a man of any 
occupation, if I would not have taken him at a 
word, I would I might go to hell among the rogues. 
And so he fell. When he came to himself again, he 
said, if he had done or said any thing amiss, he de- 
sired their worships to think it was his infirmity. 
Three or four wenches, where I stood, cried * Alas, 
good soul ! * and forgave him with all their hearts : 
but there's no heed to be taken of them ; if Caesar 
had stabbed their mothers, they would have done 
no leas. 

Bru. And after that, he came, thus sad, away ? 

Casca. Ay. 

Cas. Did Cicero say any thing ? 

Casca. Ay. he spoke Greek, 

Cas. To what effect ? 

Casca. Nay, an I tell you that, I'll n'er look 
you i' the face again ; but those that understood 
him smiled at one another and shook their heads ; 
but, for mine own part, it was Greek to me. I 
could tell you more news too ; Marullus and 
Flavius, for pulling scarfs off Caesar's images, are 
put to silence. Fare you well. There was more 
foolery yet, if I could remember it. 

Cas. Will you sup with me to-night, Casca ? 

Casca. No, I am promised forth. 

Cas. Will you dine with me to-morrow ? 



JULIUS CAESAR. 11 

Casca. Ay, if I be alive and your mind hold and 
your dinner worth the eating. 

Can. Good : I will expect you. 

Casca. Do so. Farewell, both. [Exit. 

Bru. What a blunt -fellow is this grown to be ! 
He was quick mettle when he went to school. 

Cas. So is he now in execution 
Of any bold or noble enterprise, 
However he puts on this tardy form. 

Bru. And so it is. For this time I will leave you : 
To-morrow, if you please to speak with me, 
I will come home to you ; or. if you will, 
Come home to me, and I will wait for you. 

Cas. I will do so ; till then think of the world. 

[Exit Brutus. 
Well, Brutus, thou art noble ; yet I see, 
Thy honorable metal may be wrought 
From that it is disposed ; therefore it is meet 
That noble minds keep ever with their likes ; 
For who so firm that cannot be seduced? 
Caesar doth bear me hard ; but he loves Brutus : 
If I were Brutus now and he were Cassius, 
He should not humor me. I will this night, 
In several hands, in at his windows throw, 
As if they came from several citizens, 
Writings all tending to the great opinion 
That Rome holds of his name ; wherein obscurely 
Caesar's ambition shall be glanced at : 
And after this let Caesar seat him sure ; 
For we will shake him or worse days endure. 

[Exit 

Ttiicnder and lightning. Eater from opposite sides, 
Casca, with his sword drawn, and Cicero. 
Cic. Good even, Casca ; brought you Caesar home ? 
Why are you breathless ? and why stare you so ? 
Casca. Are not you moved, when all the sway of 
earth 



12 JULIUS CJESAE. 

Shakes like a thing unfirm ? O Cicero. 
I have seen tempests, when the scolding winds 
Have rived the knotty oaks, and I have seen 
The ambitions ocean swell and rage and foam, 
To be exalted with the threatening clouds ; 
But never till to-night, never till now, 
Did I go through a tempest dropping fire, 
Either there is a civil strife in heaven, 
Or else the world, too saucy with the gods, 
Incenses them to send destruction. 

Cic. Why, saw you anything more wonderful . 

Cascn. A common slave — you know him well by 
sight- 
Held up his left hand, which did flame and burn 
Like twenty torches join'd, and yet his hand, 
Not sensible of fire, remain'd unscorch'd. 
Besides — I ha' not since put up my sword — 
Against the Capitol I met a lion, 
Who glared upon me, and w r ent surly by, 
Without annoying me : and there w r ere drawn 
Upon a heap a hundred ghastly women, 
Transformed with their fear, w 7 ho swore they saw 
Men all in fire walk up and down the streets. 
W 7 hen these prodigies 
Do so conjointly meet, let not men say 
* These are their reasons ; they are natural ; ' 
For, I believe, they are portentous things 
Unto the climate that they point upon. 

Cic. Indeed, it is a strange-disposed time : 
But men may construe things after their fashion, 
Clean from the purpose of the things themselves. 
Comes Csesar to the Capitol to-morrow ? 

Casca. He doth ; for he did bid Antonius 
Send word to you he would be there to-morrow. 

Cic. Good night then, Casca : this disturbed sky 
Is not to walk in. 

Casca, Farewell, Cicero. {Exit Cicero, 



JULTUS CJE3AR. 13 

Enter Cassius. 

Cas. "Who's there ! 

Casca. A Roman. 

Cas. Casca, by your voice. 

Casca. Your ear is good. Cassius, what night is 
this ! 

Cas. A very pleasing night to honest men. 

Casca. Whoever knew the heavens menace so ? 

Cas. Those that have known the earth so full of 
faults. 
For my part, I have walk'd about the streets, 
Submitting mo unto the perilous night, 
And thus unbraced, Casca, as you see, 
Have bared my bosom to the thunder-stone ; 
And when the cross blue lightning se.em'd to open 
The breast of heaven, I did present myself 
Even in the aim and very flash of it. 

Casca. But wherefore did you so much tempt 
the heavens ? 
It is the part of men to fear and tremble. 
When the most mighty gods by tokens send 
Such dreadful heralds to astonish us. 

Cas. You are dull, Casca, 
Why all these things, 

To make them instruments of fear and warning 
Unto some monstrous state. 
Now could I, Casca, name to thee a man 
Most like this dreadful night, 
A man no mightier than thyself or me 
In personal action, yet prodigious grown 
And fearful, as these strange eruptions are. 

Casca. 'Tis Caesar that you mean ; is it not, 
Cassius ? 

Cas. Let it be who it is : for Romans now 
Have thews and limbs like to their ancestors ; 
But, woe the while ! our fathers' minds are &ei d, * 
And we are govern'd with our mothers' spirits ; 
Our yoke and sufferance show us womanish. 



14 JULIUS CAESAR. 

Casca. Indeed, they say the senators to-morrow 
Mean to establish Csesar as a king ; 
And he shall wear his crown by sea and land, 
In every place, save here in Italy. 

Cas. I know where I will wear this dagger then ; 
Cassius from bondage will deliver Cassius : 
Therein, ye gods, yon. make the weak most strong ; 
Therein, ye gods, you tyrants do defeat : 
Nor stony tower, nor walls of beaten brass, 
Nor airless dungeon, nor strong links of iron, 
Can be retentive to the strength of spirit ; 
But life, being weary of these worldly bars, 
Never lacks power to dismiss itself. 
If I know this, know all the world besides, 
That part of tyranny that I do bear 
I can shake off at pleasure. [ Thunder still. 

Casca. So can I : 

So every bondman in his own hand bears 
The power to cancel his captivity. 

Cas. And why should Csesar be a tyrant then ? 
Poor man ! I know he would not be a wolf, 
But that he sees the Romans are but sheep ; 
He were no lion, were not Romans hinds. 
Those that with haste will make a migrhtv fire 
Begin it with weak straws ; what trash is Rome, 
What rubbish and what offal, when it serves 
For the base matter to illuminate 
So vile a thing as Csesar ! But, O grief, 
Where hast thou led me ? I perhaps speak this 
Before a willing bondman ; then I know 
My answer must be made. But I am arm'd, 
And dangers are to me indifferent. 

Casca. You speak to Casca. and to such a man 
That is no fleering tell-tale. Hold, my hand : 
Be factious for redress of all these griefs, 
And I will set this foot of mine as far 
As who goes farthest. 



JULIUS C^SAR. 15 

Cas. There's a bargain made. 

Now know you, Casca, I have moved already 
Some certain of the noblest-minded Romans 
To undergo with me an enterprise 
Of honorable-dangerous consequence ; 
And I do know, by this they stay for me 
In Pompey's porch ; for now, this fearful night, 
There is no stir or walking in the streets ; 
And the complexion of the element 
In favor's like the work we have in hand, 
Most bloody, fiery, and most terrible. 
Enter Cinna. 

Casca. Stand close awhile, for here comes one 
in haste. 

Cas. 'Tis Cinna ; I do know him by his gait ; 
He is a friend. Cinna, where haste you so ? 

Cin, To find out you. Who's that ? Meteilus 
Cimber? 

Cas. No, it is Casca ; one incorporate 
To our attempts. Am I not stay'd for, Cinna? 

Cin. I am glad on't. What a fearful night is this ! 
There's two or three of us have seen strange sights, 

Cas. Am I not stay'd for? tell me. 

Cin. Yes, you are. 

O Cassius, if you could 
But win the noble Brutus to our party— 

Cas. Be you content : good Cinna, take this paper, 
And look you lay it in the praetor's chair, 
Where Brutus may but find it ; and throw this 
In at his window ; set this up with wax 
Upon old Brutus' statue : all this done, 
Repair to Pompey's porch, where you shall find us. 
Is Decius Brutus and Trebonius there ? 

Cin. All but Meteilus Cimber ; and he's gone 
To seek you at your house. Well, I will hie, 
And so bestow these papers as you bade me, 

Cas. That done, repair to Pompey's theatre. 

[Exit Cinna. 



16 JULIUS CjESAB, 

Come, Casca, you and I will yet ere day 

See Brutus at his house : three parts of him 

Is ours already, and the man entire 

Upon the next encounter yields him ours. [Exeunt 



ACT II. 

Scene I. Rome. — Brutus' s orchard. 

Enter Brutus. 

Bru. What, Lucius, ho, 
I cannot, by the progress of the stars, 
Give guess how near to day. Lucius, I say ! 
I would it were my fault to sleep so soundly. 
When, Lucius, when ? awake, I say ! what, Lucius ! 
Enter Lucius. 

Luc. Caird you, my lord ? 

Bru. Get me a taper in my study, Lucius : 
When it is lighted, come and call me here. 

Luc. I will, my lord. [Exit. 

Bru. It must be by his death : and for my part, 
I know no personal cause to spurn at him, 
But for the general. He would be crown'd ; 
How that might change his nature, there's the ques- 
tion. 
It is the bright day that brings forth the adder ; 
And that craves wary walking. Crown him ? — that ; — 
And then, I grant, we put a sting in him, 
That at his will he may do danger with. 
The abuse of greatness is, when it disjoins 
Remorse from power ; and to speak truth of Caesar, 
I have not known when his affections sway'd 
More than his reason. But 'tis a common proof, 
That lowliness is young ambition's ladder, 
Whereto the climber- up ward turns his face ; 
But when he once attains the upmost round, 
He then unto the ladder turns his back, 
Looks in the clouds, scorning the base degrees 



JULIUS CJESAR. 17 

By which he did ascend : so Caesar may ; 
Then, lest he may, prevent. 
And therefore think him as a serpent's egg 
Which, hatch'd, would, as his kind, grow mischiev- 
ous, 
And kill him in the shell. 

Re-enter Lucius. 

Luc. The taper burneth in your closet, sir. 
Searching the window for a flint I found 
This paper thus seal'd up, and I am sure 
It did not lie there when I went to bed. 

f Gives him the letter. 

Bru. Get you to bed again ; it is not day. 
Is not to-morrow, boy, the Ides of March ? 

Luc. I know not, sir. 

Bru. Look in the calendar, and bring me word. 

Luc. I will, sir. [Exit. 

Bru. [ Opens the letter and reads. 

'Brutus, thou sleep'st : awake, and see thyself. 
Shall Koine, &c. Speak, strike, redress ! 
Brutus, thou sleep'st : awake ! ' 
Such instigations have been often dropp'd 
Where I have took them up. 
* Shall Borne, &c. ' Thus must I piece it out : 
Shall Rome stand under one man's awe ? What, 

Borne? 
My ancestors did from the streets of Borne 
The Tarquin drive, when he was call'd a king. 
1 Speak, strike, redress ! ' Am I entreated 
To speak and strike ? O Rome, I make thee promise ; 
If the redress will follow, thou receivest 
Thy full petition at the hand of Brutus ! 
Re-enter Lucius. 

Luc. Sir, March is wasted fourteen days. 

[Knocking within. 

Bru. Tis good. Go to the gate ; somebody 
knocks. [Exit Lucius. 

Since Cassius first did whet me against Caesar, 



18 JULIUS CJBSAn. 

I have not slept. 

Between the acting of a dreadful thing 
And the first motion, all the interim is 
Like a phantasma, or a hideous dream : 
The Genius and the mortal instruments 
Are then in council ; and the state of man, 
Like to a little kingdom, suffers then 
The nature of an insurrection. 

Re-enter Lucius. 

Luc. Sir, 'tis your brother Cassius at the door, 
Who doth desire to see you. 

Bru. Is he alone? 

Luc. No, sir, there are more with him. 

Bru. Do you know them ? 

Luc. No, sir ; their hats are pluck'd about their ears, • 
And half their faces buried in their cloaks, 
That by no means I may discover them 
By any mark of favor. 

Bru. Let 'm enter. [Exit Lucius. 

They are the faction. O conspiracy, 
Shamest thou to show thy dangerous brow by night, 
When evils are most free ? O, then by day 
Where wilt thou find a cavern dark enough 
To mask thy monstrous visage ? Seek none, con- 
spiracy ; 
Hide it in smiles and affability ; 
For if thou path, thy native semblance on, 
Not Erebus itself were dim enough 
To hide thee from prevention. 

Enter the Conspirators, Cassius, Casca, Decius, 
Cinna, Metellus Cimfer and Trebonius. 

Cas. I think we are too bold upon your rest : 
Good morrow, Brutus ; do we trouble you ? 

Bru. I have been up this hour, awake all night. 
Know I these men that come along with you ? 

Cas. Yes, every man of them : and no man here. 
But honors you; and every one doth wish 



JULIUS CJSSIR. 19 

You had but that; opinion of yourself 
Which every noble Roman bears of you. 
This is Trebonius. 

Bru. He is welcome hither. 

Cas. This, Decius Brutus. 

Bru. He is welcome too. 

Cas. This, Casca ; this, Cinna ; and this Metel- 
lus Cimber. $ 

Bru. They are all welcome. 
What watchful cares do interpose themselves 
Betwixt your eyes and night ? 

Cas. Shall I entreat a word ? 

[Brutus and Cassius whisper. 

Dec. Here lies the east ; doth not the day break 
here ? 

Casca. No. 

Cin. O, pardon, sir, it doth ; and yon gray lines 
That fret the clouds are messengers of day. 

Casca. You shall confess that you are both de- 
ceived. 
Here, as I point my sword, the sun arises, 
Which is a great way growing on the south, 
Weighing the youthful season of the year. 
Some two months hence up higher toward the north 
He first presents his fire ; and the high east 
Stands, as the Capitol, directly here. 

Bru. Give me your hands all over, one by one, 

Cas. And let us swear our resolution. 

Bru. No, not an oath ; if not the face of men, 
The sufferance of our souls, the time's abuse, — 
If these be motives weak, break off betimes, 
And every man hence to his idle bed ; 
So let high-sighted tyranny range on. 
Till each man drop by lottery. But if these, 
As I am sure they do, bear fire enough 
What need we any spur but our own cause. 
To prick us to redress ? what other bond 
Thau secret Romans, that hare spoke the word, 



20 JULIUS CAESAR. 

And will not palter ? and what other oath 

Than honesty to honesty engaged, 

That this shall be, or we will fall for it ? 

Swear priests and cowards and men cantelous, 

Old feeble carrions and such suffering souls 

That welcome wrongs ; unto bad causes swear 

Such 'creatures as men doubt ; but do not stain 

The even virtue of our enterprise, 

Nor the insuppressive mettle of our spirits, 

To think that our cause or our performance 

Did need an oath ; when every drop of blood 

That every Roman bears, and nobly bears, 

Is guilty of a several bastardy. 

If he do break the smallest particle 

Of any promise that hath pass'd from him. 

Cas. But what of Cicero ? Shall we sound him ? 
I think he will stand very strong with us. 

Casca. Let us not leave him out. 

Cin. No, by no means. 

Met. O, let us have him, for his silver hairs 
Will purchase us a good opinion 
And buy men's voices to commend our deeds : 
It shall be said, his judgment ruled our hands; 
Our youths and wildness shall no whit appear, 
But all be buried in his gravity. 

Br u. O, name him not : let us not break with him : 
For he will never follow any thing 
That other men begin. 

C(ts. Then leave him out. 

Casca. Indeed he is not fit. 

Dec. Shall no man else be touch'd but only Caesar ? 

Cas. Decius, well urged : I think it is not meet, 
Mark Antony, so well beloved of Caesar, 
Should outlive Caesar ; we shall find of him 
A shrewd contriver ; and, you know, his means, 
If he improve them, may well stretch so far 
As to annoy us all : which to prevent, 
Let Antony and Caesar fall together, 



JULIUS CAESAR. 21 

Bru. Our course will seem too bloody, Caius 
Cassius. 
To cut the head off aud then hack the limbs, 
Like wrath in death and envy afterwards ; 
For Antony is but a limb of Caesar: 
Let us be sacrificers, but not butchers, Caius, 
We all stand up against the spirit of Caesar ; 
And in the spirit of men there is no blood : 
O, that we then could come by Caesar's spirit, 
And not dismember Caesar! But, alas, 
Caesar must bleed for it ! And, gentle friends, 
Let's kill him boldly, but not wrathfully ; 
Let's carve him as a dish fit for the gods, 
Not hew him as a carcass fit for hounds: 
And let our hearts', as subtle masters do, 
Stir up their servants to an act of rage, 
And after seem to chide 'em. This shall make 
Our purpose necessary and not envious : 
Which so appearing to the common eyes, 
We shall be cail'd purgers, not murderers. 
And for Mark Antony, think not of him ; 
For he can do no more than Caesar's arm 
When Caesar's head is off. 

Cas. Yet I fear him ; 

For in the ingrafted love he bears to Caesar— 

Bru. Alas, good Cassius, do not think of him : 
If he love Caesar, all that he can do 
Is to himself, take thought and die for Caesar : 
And that were much he should ; for he is given 
To sports, to wildness and much company. 

Treb. There is no fear in him ; let him not die : 
For he will live, and laugh at this hereafter. 

[Clock strikes, 

Bru. Peace ! count the clock. 

Cas. The clock hath stricken three. 

Treb. 'Tis time to part. 

Cas. But it is doubtful yet, 

Whether Caesar will come forth to-day, or no ; 



22 JULIUS CJESAE. 

For he is superstitious grown of late, 
Quite from the main opinion he held once 
Of fantasy, of dreams and ceremonies : 
It may be, these apparent prodigies, 
The unaccustom'd terror of this night, 
And the persuasion of his augurers, 
May hold him from the Capitol to-day. 

Dec. Never fear that : if he be so resolved, 
I can o'ersway him ; for he loves to hear 
That unicorns may be betray 'd with trees, 
And bears with glasses, elephants with holes, 
Lions with toils and men with flatterers ; 
But when I tell him he hates flatterers, 
He says he does, being then most flattered; 
Let me work ; 

For I can give his humor the true bent, 
And I will bring him to the Capitol. 

Cas. Nay, we will all of us be there to fetch him. 

Bru. Bv the eighth hour : is that the uttermost ? 

Cln. Be that the uttermost, and fail not then. 

Bru. Good gentlemen, look fresh and merrily ; 
Let not our looks put on our purposes. 
But bear it as our Roman actors do, 
With untired spirits t<nd formal constancy : 
And so good morrow to you every one. 

[Exeunt all but Brutus. 
Boy ! Lucius ! Fast asleep ? It is no matter ; 
Enjoy the honey-heavy dew of slumber : 
Thou hast no figures nor no fantasies. 
Which busv care draws in the brains of men ; 
Therefore thou sleep'st so sound. 
Enter Poktia. 

Por. Brutus, my lord ! 

Bru. Portia, what mean you ? wherefore rise you 
now ? 
It is not for your health thus to commit 
Your weak condition to the raw cold morning. 



JULIUS CJSSAR. 23 

Por. Nor for yours neither. You've ungently, 
Brutus, 
Stole from my bed : and yesternight, at supper, 
You suddenly arose, and walk'd about, 
Musing and sighing, with your arms across, 
And when I ask'd you what the matter was, 
You stared upon me with ungentle looks ; 
I urged you further ; then you scratch'd your head, 
And too impatiently stamp'd with your f oot ; 
Yet I insisted, yet you answer'd not, 
But, with an angry wafture of your hand, 
Gave sign for me to leave you : so I did ; 
Fearing to strengthen that impatience 
"Which seem'd too much enkindled, and withal 
Hoping it was but an effect of humor, 
Which sometime hath his hour with every man. 
It will not let you eat, nor talk, nor sleep, 
And could it work so much upon your shape 
As it hath much prevail'd on your condition, 
I should not know you, Brutus. Dear my lord, 
Make me acquainted with your cause of grief. 

Bru. I am not well in health, and that is all. 

Por. Brutus is wise, and, were lie not in health, 
He would embrace the means to come by it. 

Bru. Why, so I do. Good Portia, go to bed. 

Por. Is Brutus sick ? and is it physical 
To walk unbraced and suck up the humors 
Of the dank morning ? What, is Brutus sick, 
Aud will he steal out of his wholesome bed, 
To dare the vile contagion of the night 
And tempt the rheumy and unpurged air 
To add unto his sickness ? No, my Brutus ; 
You have some sick offence within your mind, 
Which, by the right and virtue of my place, 
I ought to know of ; and, upon my knees, 
I charm you, by my once commended beauty, 
By all your vows of love and that great vow 
Which did incorporate and make us one, 



21 JULIUS CjBSAR. 

That you unfold to me, yourself, your half, 
Why you are heavy, and what men to-night 
Have had resort to you : for here have been 
Some six or seven, who did hide their faces 
Even from darkness. 

Bru. ' Kneel not, gentle Portia. 

Por. I should not need, if you were gentle Brutus. 
Within the bond of marriage, tell me, Brutus, 
Is it excepted I should know no secrets 
That appertain to you ? Am I yourself 
But, as it were, in sort or limitation, 
To keep with you at meals, comfort your bed, 
And talk to you sometimes ? Dwell I but in the 

suburbs 
Of your good pleasure ? If it be no more, 
Portia is Brutus' harlot, not his wife. 

Bru. You are my true and honorable wife, 
As dear to me as are the ruddy drops 
That visit my sad heart. 

Por. If this were true, then should I know this 
secret. 
I grant I am a woman ; but withal 
A woman that Lord Brutus took to wife : 
I grant I am a woman ; but withal 
A woman well-reputed, Cato's daughter. 
Think you I am no stronger than my sex, 
Being so father'd and so husbanded ? 
Tell me your counsels, I will not disclose 'em . 
I have made strong proof of my constancy, 
Giving myself a voluntary wound 
Here in the thigh : can I bear that with patience, 
And not my husband's secrets? 

Bru. O ye gods, 

Render me worthy of this noble wife ! 

[Knocking within. 
Hark, hark ! one knocks : Portia, go in awhile ; 
And by and by thy bosom shall partake 
The secrets of my heart. 



JULIUS GjESAR. 25 

All my engagements I will construe to thee, 

All the charactery of my sad brows. [Exeunt, 

Scene II. Ccesars house. 
Th undei and lightning. Enter Caesar, in his night-gown. 

Cces. Nor heaven nor earth have been at peace 
to-night : 
Thrice hath Calpurnia in her sleep cried out, 
' Help, ho ! they murder Caesar ! ' Who's within ? 
Enter a Servant. 

Serv. My lord ? 

Cces. Go bid the priests do present sacrifice 
And bring me their opinions of success. 

Serv. I will, my lord. [ Exit. 

Enter Calpurnia. 

Cat. What mean you, Caesar ? think you to walk 
forth ? 
You shall not stir out of your house to-day. 

Cces. Caesar shall forth : the things that threat- 
en' d me 
Ne'er look'd but on my back ; when they shall see 
The face of Caesar, they are vanished. 

Cat. Caesar, I never stood on ceremonies, 
Yet now they fright me. There is one within, 
Besides the things that we have heard and seen, 
Recounts most horrid sights seen by the watch. 
A lioness hath whelped in the streets ; 
And graves have yawn'd, and yielded up their dead ; 
Fierce fiery warriors fought upon the clouds, 
In ranks and squadrons and right form of war, 
Which drizzled blood upon the Capitol ; 
The noise of battle hurtled in the air, 
Horses did neigh, and dying men did groan, 
And ghosts did shriek and squeal about the streets. 
O Caesar ! these things are beyond all use, 
And I do fear them. 

Cces. What can be avoided 

Whose end is purposed by the mighty gods ? 



26 JULIUS CJ£SAE % 

Yet Caesar shall go forth ; for these predictions 
Are to the world in general as to Caesar. 

Cal. AY hen beggars die, there are no comets seen ; 
The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of 
princes. 

Cops. Cowards die many times before their deaths ; 
The valiant never taste of death but once. 
Of all the wonders that I vet have heard, 
It seems to me most strange that men should fear ; 
Seeing that death, a necessary end,- 
Will come when it will come. 

Re-enter Servant. 

What say the augurers ? 

Sew. They would not have you to stir forth to-day. 
Plucking the entrails of an offering forth, 
They could not find a heart within the beast. 

Cces. The gods do this in shame of cowardice : 
Caesar should be a beast without a heart, 
If he should stay at home to-day for fear. 
No, Caesar shall not : danger knows full well 
That Caesar is more dangerous than he : 
We are two lions litter'd in one day, 
And I the elder and more terrible: 
And Caesar shall go forth. 

Cat. Alas, my lord, 

Your wisdom is consumed in confidence. 
Do not go forth to-day : call it my fear 
That keeps you in the house, and not your own. 
We'll send Mark Antony to the senate-house ; 
And he shall say you are not well to-day ; 
Let me, upon my knee, prevail in this. 

Ccps, Mark Antony shall say I am not well ; 
And, for thy humor, I will stay at home. 

Enter Pectus. 
Here's Decius Brutus, he shall tell them so. 

Dec. Caesar, all hail ! good morrow, worthy Caesar; 
I come to fetch you to the senate-house. 



JULIUS CjESAB. 27 

Cces. And you are come in very happy time, 
. To bear my greeting to the senators 
And tell them that I will not come to-day : 
Cannot, is false, and that I dare not, falser : 
I will not come to-day : tell them so, Decius. 

Cal. Say he is sick. 

Cces. Shall Caesar send a lie ? 

Have I in conquest stretch'd mine arm so far, 
To be af eard to tell graybeards the truth ? 
Decius, go tell them Caesar will not come. 

Dec. Most mighty Caesar, let me know some cause, 
Lest I belaugh'd at when I tell them so. 

Cces.. The cause is in my will : I will not come ; 
That is enough to satisfy the senate. 
But for your private satisfaction, 
Because I love you, I will let you know : 
Calpurnia here, my wife, stays me at home: 
She dreamt to-night she saw my statue,- 
Which, like a fountain with a hundred spouts, 
Did run pure blood ; and many lusty Romans 
Came smiling, and did bath their hands in it : 
And these does she apply for warnings, and portents, 
And evils imminent ; and on her knee 
Hath begg'd that I will stay at home to-day. 

Dec. This dream is nil amiss interpreted ; 
It was a vision fair and fortunate : 
Your statue spouting blood in many pipes, 
In which so many smiling Bomans bathed, 
Signifies that from you great Borne shall suck 
Reviving blood, and that great men shall press 
For tinctures, stains, relics and cognizance. 
This by Calpurnia's dream is signified. 

Cces. And this way have you well expounded it. 

Dec. I have, when you have heard what I can say: 
And know it now : the senate have concluded 
To give this day a crown to mighty Caesar. 
If you shall send them word you will not come, 
Their minds may change. Besides, it were a mock 



28 JULIUS CJESAH. 

Apt to be render' d, for some one to say 

* Break np the senate till another time, 

When Caesar's wife shall meet with better dreams. ' 
If Caesar hide himself, shall they not whisper 

* Lo, Caesar is afraid ' ? 

Pardon me, Caesar ; for my dear, dear love 
To your proceeding bids me tell yon this, 
And reason to my love is liable. 

Cces. How foolish do yonr fears seem now, Cal- 
pnrnia ! 
I am ashamed I did yield to them. 
Give me my robe, for I will go. 

Enter Publius, Brutus, Ligabjus, Metellus, 
Casca, Trebonius and Cinna. 
And look where Publius is come to fetch me. 

Pub. Good morrow, Caesar. 

Cces. Welcome, Publius. 

What, Brutus, are you stirr'd so early too ? 
Good morrow, Casca. 
What is't o'clock ? 

Bru. Caesar, 'tis strucken right. 

Cces. I thank you for your pains and courtesy. 
Enter Antony. 
See ! Antony, that revels long o' nights, 
Is notwithstanding up. Good morrow, Antony. 

Ant. So to most noble Caesar. 

Cces. Bid them prepare within : 

I am to blame to be thus waited for. 
Now, Cinna ; now, Metellus : now Trebonius ! 
I have an hour's talk in store for you ; 
Remember that you call on me to-day : 
Be near me, that I may remember you. 

Treb, Caesar, I will : [Aside] and so near will I be, 
That your best friend shall wish I had been further. 

Cces. Good friends, go in, and taste some wine 
with me ; 
And we, like friends, will straightway go together. 



JULIUS CAESAR. 29 

Bru. [Aside.] That every like is not the same, O 
Caesar, 
The heart of Brutus yearns to think upon ! [Exeunt. 
Scene III. A street near the Capitol. 
Enter Artemidorus, reading a paper. 

Art. i Caesar, beware of Brutus ; take heed of 
Cassius ; come not near Casca ; have an eye to 
Cinna ; trust not Trebonius ; mark well Metellus 
Cimber ; Decius Brutus loves thee not ; thou hast 
wronged Caius Ligarius. There is but one mind in 
all these men, and it is bent against Caesar. If thou 
beest not immortal, look about you : security gives 
way to conspiracy. The mighty gods defend thee ! 
Thy lover, Artemidorus. ' 
Here will I stand till Caesar pass along, 
And as a suitor will I give him this. 
My heart laments that virtue cannot live 
Out of the teeth of emulation. 
If thou read this, O Caesar, thou mayst live ; 
If not, the Fates with traitors do contrive. [Exit. 
Enter Portia and Lucius. 

Por. I prithee, boy, run to the senate-house ; 
Stay not to answer me, but get thee gone : 
\\ hy dost thou stay ? 

Luc. To know my errand, madam. 

Por. I would have had thee there, and here again, 
Ere I can tell thee what thou shouldst do there. 

constancy, be strong upon my side, 

Set a huge mountain 'tween my heart and tongue ! 

1 have a man's mind, but a woman's might. 
How hard it is for women to keep counsel ! 
Art thou here yet ? 

Luc. Madam, what should I do ? 

Kun to the Capitol, and nothing else ? 
And so return to you, and nothing else ? 

Por. Yes, bring me word, boy, if thy lord look 
well, 



30 JULIUS CJESAn. 

For lie went sickly forth ; and take good note 
What Caesar doth, what suitors press to him. 
Hark, boy ! what noise is that ? 

Luc. I hear none, madam. 

Por. Prithee, listen well ; 

I heard a bustling rumor, like a fray, 
And the wind brings it from the Capitol. 

Luc. Sooth, madam, I hear nothing. 

Enter the Soothsayer. 

Por. Come hither, fellow : which way hast thou 
been? 

Sooth. At mine own house, good lady. 

Por. What is't o'clock ? 

Sooth. About the ninth hour, lady. 

Por. Is Caesar yet gone to the Capitol ? 

Sooth. Madam, not yet ; I go to take my stand, 
To see him pass on to the Capitol. 

Por. Thou hast some suit to Caesar, hast thou not ? 

Sooth. That I have, lady ; if it will please Caesar 
To be so good to Caesar as to hear me, 
I shall beseech him to befriend himself. 

Por. Why, know'st thou any harm's intended to- 
wards him ■? 

Sooth. None that I know will be, much that I fear 
may chance. 
Good morrow to you. Here the street is narrow : 
The throng that follows Caesar at the heels, 
Of senators, of praetors, common suitors, 
Will crowd a feeble man almost to death : 
I'll get me to a place more void, and there 
Speak to great Caesar as he comes along. 

Por. I must go in. Ay me, how weak a thing 
The heart of woman is ! O Brutus, 
The heavens speed thee in thine enterprise ! 
Sure, the boy heard me : Brutus hath a suit 
That Caesar will not grant. O, I grow faint. 
Bun, Lucius, and commend me to my lord ; 



JULIUS C^SAK. 31 

Say I am merry : come to me again, 

And bring me word what lie doth say to thee. 

[Exeunt severally. 

ACT III. 

Scene I. Rome. — Before the Capitol ; the Senate 

sitting above. 

A crowd of people; among them Artemidorus and 

the Soothsayer. Flourish,. Enter Caesar, Brutus, 

Cassius, CasOA, Decmus, Metellus, Trebonius, 

Cinna, Antony, Lepidus, Popilius, Publtus, and 

others. 

Co?s. \ To the Soothsayer] The Ides of March are 
come. 

Sooth. Ay, Caesar ; but not gone. 

Art. HaiJ, Caesar ! read this schedule. 

Dec. Trebonius doth desire you to o'er-read, 
At your best leisure, this his humble suit. 

Aft. O Caesar, read mine first ; for mine's a suit 
That touches Caesar nearer ; read it, great Caesar. 

Co?s. What touches us our self shall be last served. 

Art. Delay not, Caesar ; read it instantly. 

Cces. What, is the fellow mad ? 

Pub. Sirrah, give place. 

Cas. What, urge you your petitions in the street? 
Come to the Capitol. 
Caesar goes up to the Senate- House, the rest following. 

Pop., I wish your enterprise to-day may thrive. 

Cas. What enterprise, Popilius ? 

Pop. Fare you well. [Advances to Ccesar. 

Bru. What said Popilius Lena ? 

Cas. He wish'd to-day our enterprise might thrive. 
I fear our purpose is discovered. 

Bru. Look, how he makes to Caesar : mark him. 

Cas. Casca, be sudden, for we fear prevention. 
Brutus, what shall be done ? If this be known, 
Cassius or Caesar never shall turn back, 
For I will slay myself. 



32 JULIUS C^E^AJl. 

Bru. Cassius, be constant : 

Popilins Lena speaks not of our purposes ; 
For, look, he smiles, and Caesar doth not change. 

Gas. Trebonius knows his time ; for, look you, 
Brutus, 
He draws Mark Antony out of the way. 

(Exeunt Antony and Trebonius. 

Dec. Where is Metellus Cimber ? Let him go 
And presently prefer his suit to Caesar. 

Bru. He is address'd ; press near and second him. 

Gin. Casca, you are the first that rears your hand. 

Gees. Are we all ready ? What is now amiss 
That Caesar and his senate must redress ? 

Met. Most high, most mighty, and most puissant 
Caesar, 
Metellus Cimber throws before thy seat 
An humble heart : — [ Kneeling. 

Gees. I must prevent thee, Cimber. 

These couchings and these lowly courtesies 
Might fire the blood of ordinary men. 
And turn pre-ordinanceand first decree 
Iuto the law of children. Be not fond, 
To think that Caesar bears such rebel blood • 
That will be thaw'd from the true quality 
With that which melteth fools ; I mean, sweet words, 
Low-crooked court'sies and base spaniel-fawning. 
Thy brother by decree is banished : 
If thou dost bend and pray and fawn for him, 
I spurn thee like a cur out of my way. 
Know Caesar doth not wrong, nor without cause 
Will he be satisfied. 

Md. Is there no voice more worthy than my own, 
To sound more sweetly in great Caesar's ear 
For the repealing of my banish'd brother ? 

Bru. I kiss thy hand, but not in flattery, Caesar ; 
Desiring thee that Publius Cimber may 
Have an immediate freedom of repeal. 

Gees. What, Brutus ! 



JULIUS CAESAR. 33 

Gas. Pardon, Caesar ; Caesar pardon : 

As low as to thy foot doth Cassius fall, 
To bog enfranchisement for Publius Cimber. 

Cces. I could be well moved, if I were as you ; 
If I could pray to move, prayers would move me : 
But I am constant as the northern star, 
Of whose true-fix'd and resting quality 
There is no fellow in the firmament. 
The skies are painted with unnumber'd sparks, 
They are all fire and every one doth shine, 
But there's but one in all doth hold his place : 
So in the world ; 'tis furnish' d well with men, 
And men are flesh and blood, and apprehensive ; 
Yet in the number I do know but one 
That unassailable holds on his rank, 
Unshaked of motion : and that I am he, 
Let me a little show it, even in this^ 
That I Avas constant Cimber should be banish'd, 
Aud constant do remain to keep him so. 

Cin. O Caesar, — 

Cces. Hence ! wilt thou lift up Olympus ? 

Dec. Great Caesar, — 

Gees. Doth not Brutus bootless kneel ? 

Gasca. Speak, hands for me ! 

[Casca first, then the other Conspirators and 
Marcus Brutus stab Gcesar. 

Gees. Et tu, Brute ! Then fall, Caesar ! [Dies. 

Cin. Liberty ! Freedom ! Tyranny is dead ! 
Kun hence, proclaim, cry it about the streets. 

Gas. Some to the common pulpits, and cry out 
* Liberty, freedom and enfranchisement!' 

Bru. People and senators, be not affrighted ; 
Fly not ; stand still : ambition's debt is paid. 

Gasca. Go to the pulpit, Brutus. 

Dec. And Cassius too. 

Bru. Where's Publius? 

Cin. Here, quite confounded with this mutiny. 



-34 JULIUS CjESAF. 

Met. Stand fast together, lest some friend of 
Caesar's 
Should chance — 

Bru. Talk not of standing. Publius, good cheer ; 
There is no harm intended to your person, 
Nor to no Roman else ; so tell them, Publius. 

Cas. And leave us, Publius ; lest that the people, 
Rushing on us, should do your age some mischief. 

Bru. Do so : and let no man abide this deed, 
But we the doers. 

Re-enter Tkebonius. 

Cas. Where is Antony ? 

Tre. Fled to his house amazed : 
Men, wives and children stare, cry out and run 
As it were doomsday. 

Bru. Fates, we will know your pleasures : 
That we shall die, we know ; 'tis but the time 
And drawing days out, that men stand upon.- 

Cas. Why, he that cuts off twenty years of life 
Cuts off so many years of fearing death. 

Bru. Grant that, and then is death a benefit : 
So are we Caesar's friends, that have abridged 
His time of fearing death. Stoop, Romans, stoop, 
And let us bathe our hands in Ca3sar's blood 
Up to the elbows, and besmear our swords : 
Then walk we forth, even to the market-place, 
And waving our red weapons o'er our heads, 
Let's all cry * Peace, freedom and liberty ! - 

Cas. Ay, every man away : 

Brutus shall lead; and we will grace his heels 
With the most boldest and best hearts of Rome. 

Enter a Servant. 

Bru. Soft ! who comes here ? A friend of Antony's. 

Serv. Thus, Brutus, did my master bid me kneel ; 
Thus did Mark Antony bid me fall down ; 
And, being prostrate, thus he bade me say : 
Brutus is noble, wise, valiant and honest ; 



JULIUS CAESAR. 35 

Caesar was mighty, bold, royal and loving : 

Say I love Brutus, and I honor him ; 

Say I fear'd Caesar, honor'd him and loved him. 

If Brutus will vouchsafe that Antony 

May safely come to him, and be resolved 

How Caesar hath deserved to lie in death, 

Mark Antony shall not love Caesar dead 

So well as Brutus living ; but will follow 

The fortunes and affairs of noble Brutus 

Through the hazards cf this untrod state 

With all true faith. So says my master Antony. 

Bru. Thy master is a wise and valiant Roman ; 
I never thought him worse. 
Tell him, so please him come unto this place, 
He shall be satisfied, and, by my honor, 
Depart untouch'd. 

Serv. I'll fetch him presently. [Exit 

Bru. I know that we shall have him well to friend. 

Cas. I wish we may : but yet have I a mind 
That fears him much ; and my misgiving still 
Falls shrewdly to the purpose. 

Bru. But here comes Antony. 
Re-enter Antony. 
Welcome, Mark Antony. 

Ant. O mighty Caesar ! dost thou lie so low ? 
Are all thy conquests, glories, triumphs, spoils, 
Shrunk to this little measure? Fare thee well, 
I know not, gentlemen, what you intend, 
Who else must be let blood, who else is rank : 
If I myself, there is no hour so fit 
As Caesar's death's hour, nor no instrument 
Of half that worth as those your swords, made rich 
With the most noble blood of all this world. 
I do beseech ye, if you bear me hard, 
Now, whilst your purpled hands do reek and smoke, 
Fulfil your pleasure. Live a thousand years, 
I shall not find myself so apt to die : 
No place will please me so, no mean of death, 



36 JULIUS CAESAR. 

As here by Caesar, and by you cut off. 
The choice and master spirits of this age. 

Bru. O Antony, beg not your death of us. 
Though now we must appear bloody and cruel, 
As, by our hands and this our present act. 
You see we do, yet see you but our hands 
And this the bleeding business they have done : 
Our hearts you see not ; they are pitiful ; 
And pity to the general wrong of Borne — 
As fire drives out fire, so pity pity — 
Hath done this deed on Caesar. For your part, 
To you our swords have leaden points, Mark Antony ; 
Our arms in strength of malice, and our hearts 
Of brothers' temper, do receive you in 
With all kind love, good thoughts and reverence. 

Cas. Your voice shall be as strong as any man's 
In disposing of new dignities. 

Bru. Only be patient till we have appeased 
The multitude, beside themselves with fear, 
And then we will deliver you the cause, 
Why I, that did love Caesar when I struck him, 
Have thus proceeded. 

Ant. I doubt not of your wisdom. 

Let each man render me his bloody hand : 
First, Marcus Brutus, will I shake with you ; 
Next, Caius Cassius, do I take your hand ; 
Now, Decius Brutus, yours ; now yours, Metellus ; 
Yours, Cinna ; and, my valiant Casca, yours ; 
Though last, not least in love, yours, good Trebonius, 
Gentlemen all, — alas, what shall I say ? 
My credit now stands on such slippery ground, 
That one of two bad ways you must conceit me. 
Either a coward or a flatterer. 
That I did love thee, Caesar, O, 'tis true : 
If then thy spirit look upon us now, 
Shall it not grieve thee dearer than thy death, 
To see thy Antony making his peace, 
Shaking the bloody fingers of thy foes, 



JULIUS CAESAR. 37 

Most noble ! in the presence of thy corse ? 
Had I a3 many eyes as thou hast wounds, 
Weeping as fast as they stream forth thy blood, 
It would become me better than to close 
In terms of friendship with thine enemies. 
Pardon me, Julius ! Here wast thou bay'd, brave hart; 
Here didst thou fall, and here thy hunters stand, 
Sign'd in thy spoil, and crimson'd in thy lethe. 
O world, thou wast the forest to this hart ; 
And t"his, indeed, O world, the heart of thee. 
How like a deer, strucken by many princes, 
Dost thou here lie ! 

Cas. Mark Antony,— 

Ant. Pardon me, Caius Cassius : 

The enemies of Caesar shall say this ; 
Then, in a friend, it is cold modesty. 

v'as. I blame you not for praising Caesar so ; 
But what compact mean you to have with us ? 
Will you be prick'd in number of our friends ; 
Or shall we on, and not depend on you ? 

Ant. Therefore I took your hands,but was, indeed, 
Sway'd from the point, by looking down on Caesar, 
Friends am I with you all and love you all, 
Upon this hope, that you shall give me reasons 
Why and wherein Caesar was dangerous. 

Bru. Or else were this a savage spectacle : 
Our reasons are so full of good regard 
That were you Antony, the son of Caesar, 
You should be satisfied. 

Ant. That's all I seek : 

And am moreover suitor that I may 
Produce his body to the market-place ; 
And in the pulpit, 'as becomes a friend, 
Speak in the order of his funeral. 

Bru. You shall, Mark Antony. 

Cas. Brutus, a word with you. 

[Aside to Brutus] You know not what you do : do 
not consent. 



38 JULIUS CAESAR. 

That Antony speak in his funeral : 

Know you how much the people may be moved 

By that which he will utter ? 

Bru. . By your pardon ; 

I will myself into the pulpit first. 
And show the reason of our Caesar's death ; 
What Antony shall speak, I will protest 
He speaks by leave and by permission, 
And that we are contented Caesar shall 
Have all true rites and lawful ceremonies. 
It shall advantage more than do us wrong. 

Cas. I know not what may fall ; I like it not. 

Bru. Mark Antony, here, take you Caesar's body. 
You shall not in your funeral speech blame us ; 
But speak all good you can devise of Caesar, 
And say you do't by our permission ; 
Else shall you not have any hand at all 
About his funeral : and you shall speak 
In the same pulpit whereto I am going, 
After my speech is ended. 

Ant. Be it so ; 

I do desire no more. 

Bru, Prepare the body then, and follow us. 

[Exemit all but Antony. 

Ant O, pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth, 
That I am meek and gentle with these butchers ! 
Thou art the ruins of the noblest man 
That ever lived in the tide of times. 
Woe to the hand that shed his costly blood ! 
Over thy wounds now do I prophesy, — 
Which, like dumb mouths, do ope their ruby lips, 
To beg the voice and utterance of my tongue— 
A curse shall light upon the limbs of men ; 
Domestic fury and fierce civil strife 
Shall cumber all the parts of Italy ; 
Blood and destruction shall be so in use 
And dreadful objects so familiar 
That mothers shall but smile when they behold 



JULIUS O^JSAR. 39 

Their infants quarter'd with the hands of war ; 
All pit j choked with custom of fell deeds : 
Aud Caesar's spirit, ranging for revenge, 
With Ate by his side come hot from hell, 
Shall in these confines with a monarch's voice 
Cry ' Havoc,' and let slip the dogs of war ; 
That this foul deed shall smell above the earth 
With carrion men, groaning for burial. 

Eider a Servant. 
You serve Octavius Caesar, do you not? 

Sew. I do, Mark Antony. 

Ant. Caesar did write for him to come to Kome. 

Sew. He did receive his letters, and is coming ; 
And bid me say to you by word of mouth — 
O Caesar ! — [Seeing the body. 

Ant. Thy heart is big, get thee apart and weep. 
Passion, I see, is catching ; for mine eyes, 
Seeing those beads of sorrow stand in thine, 
Began to water. Is thy master coming ? 

Sew. He lies to-night within seven leagues of Rome. 

Ant. Post back with speed, and tell him what 
hath chanced : 
Here is a mourning Rome, a dangerous Rome, 
No Rome of safety for Octavius yet ; 
. Hie hence, and tell him so. Yet, stay awhile ; 
Thou shalt not back till I have borne this corse 
Into the market-place : there shall I try, 
In my oration, how the people take 
The cruel issue of these bloody men ; 
According to the which, thou shnlt discourse 
To young Octavius of the state of things. 
Lend me your hand. [Exeunt with Ccesar's body. 

Scene II. The Forum. 
Enter Brutus and Cassius, and a throng of Citizens. 
Citizens. We will be satisfied ; let us be satisfied. 
Bru. Then follow me, and give me audience, 
friends, 



40 JULIUS CJESAE. 

Cassius, go yon into the other street, 

And part the numbers. 

Those that will hear me speak, let 'em stay here ; 

Those that will follow Cassius, go with him ; 

And public reasons shall be rendered 

Of Caesar's death. 

Fh st Cit. I will hear Brutus speak. 
Sec. Cit. I will hear Cassius ; and compare their 
reasons, 
When severally we hear them rendered. 

[Exit Cassius with some of the Citizens, Brutus 
goes into the pulpit. 

Third Cit. The noble Brutus is ascended : silence ! 

Bru. Be patient till the last. 
Bomans, countrymen, and lovers ! hear me for my 
cause, and be silent that you may hear : believe me 
for mine honor, and have respect to mine honor, 
that you may believe : censure me in your wisdom, 
and awake your senses, that you may the better 
judge. If there be any in this assembly, any dear 
friend of Caesar's, to him I say, that Brutus' love to 
Caesar- was no less than his. If then that friend de- 
mand why Brutus rose against Caesar, this is my an- 
swer : — Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved 
Borne more. Had you rather Caesar were living and 
die all slaves, than that Caesar were dead, to live all 
free men ? As Caesar loved me, I weep for him ; as 
he was fortunate, I rejoice at it; as he was valiant, I 
honor him ; but, as he was ambitious, I slew him. 
There is tears for his love; joy for his fortune; 
honor for his valor ; and death for his ambition. 
Who is here so base that would be a bondman ? If 
any, speak ; for him have I offended. Who is here 
so rude that would not be a Roman ? If any, speak ; 
for him have I offended. Who is here so vile that 
will not love his country ? If any, speak ; for him 
have I offended, I pause for a reply. 

All. None, Brutus, none. 



JULIUS CJSSAR. 41 

Bru. Than none have I offended. I have done 
no more to Caesar than you shall do to Brutus. 
The question of his death is enrolled in the Capitol ; 
his glory not extenuated, wherein he was worthy, 
nor his offenses enforced, for which he suffered death. 

Enter Antony and others, with C^jsak's body. 
Here comes his body, mourned by Mark Antony ; 
who, though he had no hand in his death, shall re- 
ceive the benefit of his dying, a place in the com- 
monwealth ; as which of you shall not ? With this I 
depart,— that as I slew my best lover for the good of 
Borne, 'I have the same dagger for myself, when it 
shall please my country to need my death. 

All. Live, Brutus ! live, live ! 

First Git. Bring him with triumph home unto his 
house. 

Sec.- Cit. Give him a statue with his ancestors. 

Third Git. Let him be Caesar. 

Fourth Git. Caesar's better parts 

Shall be crown'd in Brutus. 

First Git. We'll bring him to his house with shouts 
and clamors. 

Bru. My countrymen, — 

Sec. Git. Peace, silence ! Brutus speaks. 

First Cit. Peace, ho ! 

Bru. Good countrymen, let me depart alone, 
And, for my sake, stay here with Antony : 
Do grace to Caesar's corpse, and grace his speech 
Tending to Caesar's glories ; which Mark Antony, 
By our permission, is allow'd to make. 
I do entreat you, not a man depart, 
Save I alone, till Antony have spoke. [Exit. 

First Git. Stay, ho ! and let us hear Mark Antony. 

Third Git. Let him go up into the public chair ; 
We'll hear him. Noble Antony, go up. 

Ant. For Brutus' sake, I am beholding to you. 

[Goes into the pulpit 

Fourth Git. What does he say of Brutus ? 



42 JULIUS CAESAR. 

TJiird Cit He says, for Brutus' sake, 

He finds himself beholding to us all. 

Fourth Cit. 'T were best he speak no harm of 
Brutus here. 

First Cit. This Caesar was a tyrant, 

Third Cit. Nay, that's certain : 

We are blest that Kome is rid of him. 

Sec. Cit Peace! let us hear what Antony can say. 

Ant You gentle Romans, — 

Citizens. Peace, ho ! let us hear him. 

Ant Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your 
ears ; 
I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him. 
The evil that men do lives after them; 
The good is oft interred with their bones ; 
So let it be with Caesar. The noble Brutus 
Hath told you Caesar was ambitious : 
If it were so, it was a grievous fault, 
And grievously hath Caesar answer'd it. 
Here, under leave of Brutus and the rest, — 
For Brutus is an honorable man ; 
So are they all, all honorable men — 
Come I to speak in Caesar's funeral. 
He was my friend, faithful and just to me : 
But Brutus says he was ambitious ; 
And Brutus is an honorable man. 
He hath brought many captives home to Rome, 
Whose ransoms did the general coffers fill : 
Did this in Caesar seem ambitious ? 
When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept: 
Ambition should be made of sterner stuff: 
Yefc Brutus says he was ambitious ; 
And Brutus is an honorable man. 
You all did see that on the Lupercal 
I thrice presented him a kingly crown, 
Which he did thrice refuse: was this ambition ? 
Yot Brutus says he was ambitious ; 
And, sure, he is an honorable man. 



JULIUS C^SAR. 43 

I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke, 
But here I am to speak what I do know. 
You all did love him once, not without cause : 
What cause withholds you then, to mourn for him ? 

judgment ! thou art fled to brutish beasts, 
And men have lost their reason. Bear with me ; 
My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar, 
And I must pause till it come back to me. 

First Cit. Methinks there is much reason in his 

sayings. 
Sec. Cit. If thou consider rightly of the matter, 
Caesar has had great wrong. 

Third Cit. Has he, masters ? 

1 fear there will a worse come in his place. 
Fourth Cit. Mark'd ye his words ? He would not 

take the crown ; 
Therefore 'tis certain he was not ambitious. 
First Cit. If it be found so, some will dear abide it. 
Sec. Cit. Poor soul ! his eyes are red as fire with 

weeping. 
Third Cit. There's not a nobler man in Borne than 

Antony. 
Fourth Cit. Now mark him, he begins again to speak*. 
Ant. But yesterday the word of Caesar might 
Have stood against the world ; now lies he there, 
And none so poor to do him reverence. 

masters, if I were disposed to stir 

Your hearts and minds to mutiny and rage, 

1 should do Brutus wrong, and Cassius wrong, 
"Who, you all know, are honorable men ; 

I will not do them wrong : I rather choose 

To wrong the dead, to wrong myself and you, 

Than I will wrong such honorable men. 

But here's a parchment with the seal of Caesar ; 

I found it in his closet, 'tis his will : 

Let but the commons hear his testament— 

Which, pardon me, I do not mean to read — 

AdcI they would go and kiss dead Cesar's wounds, 



44 JULIUS CAESAR, 

And dip tlieir napkins in his sacred blood, 
Yea, beg a hair of him for memory, 
And, dying, mention it within their wills, 
Bequeathing it as a rich legacy 
Unto their issue. 

Fourth Cit. We'll hear the will : read it, Mark 
Antony. 

All. The will ! the will ! we will hear Caesar's will. 

Ant. Have patience, gentle friends, I must not 
read it ; 
It is not meet you know how Caesar loved you. 
You are not wood, you are not stones, but men ; 
And, being men, hearing the will of Caesar, 
It will inflame you, it will make you mad : 
'Tis good you know not that you are his heirs ; 
For, if you should, O, what would come of it ! 

Fourth Cit. Read the will ; we'll hear it, Antony ; 
You shall read us the will, Caesar's will. 

Ant. Will you be patient ? will you stay awhile ? 
I have overshot myself to tell you of it : 
I fear I wrong the honorable men 
Whose daggers have stabb'd Caesar ; I do fear it. 

Fourth Cit. They were traitors : honorable men ! 

All. The will ! the testament ! 

Sec. Cit. They were villains, murderers : the will ! 
read the will. 

Ant. You will compel me, then, to read the will ? 
Then make a ring about the corpse of Caesar, 
And let me show you him that made the will. 
Shall I descend ? and will you give me leave ? 

All. Come down. 

Sec. Cit. Descend. [He comes down from the pulpit. 

Third Cit. You shall have leave. 

Fourth Cit. A ring ; stand round. 

First Cit. Stand from the hearse, stand from the 
body. 

Sec. Cit. Room for Antony, most noble Antony. 

Ant Nay, press not so upon me \ stand far off, 



JULIUS CuESAB. 45 

Several Cit. Stand back. Kooin ! Bear back. 

Ant. If you have tears, prepare to shed them now. 
You all do know this mantle : I remember 
The first time ever Caesar put it on ; 
'Twas on a summer's evening, in his tent, 
That day he overcame the Nervii : 
Look, in this place ran Cassius? dagger through : 
See what a rent the envious Casca made : 
Through this the well-beloved Brutus stabb'd ; 
And as he pluck' d his cursed steel away, 
Mark how the blood of Caesar f ollow'd it, 
As rushing out of doors, to be resolved 
If Brutus so unkindly knock'd, or no ; 
For Brutus, as you know, was Caesar's angel : 
Judge, O you gods, how dearly Caesar loved him ! 
This was the most unkindest cut of all ; 
For when the noble Caesar saw him stab, 
Ingratitude, more strong than traitors' arms, 
Quite vanquish'd him : then burst his mighty heart; 
And, in his mantle muffling up his face, 
Even at the base of Pompey's statue, 
Which all the while ran blood, great Caesar fell. 
O, what a fall was there, my countrymen ! 
Then I, and you, and all of us fell down, 
Whilst bloody treason flourish'd over us. 
O, now you weep, and I perceive you feel 
The dint of pity : these are gracious drops. 
Kind souls, what weep you when you but behold 
Our Caesar's vesture wounded ? Look you here, 
Here is himself, marr'd, as you see, with traitors. 

First Git. O piteous spectacle ! 

Sec. Cit. O noble Caesar ! 

Third Git. O woful day ! 

Fourth Git. O traitors, villains ! 

First Git. O most bloody sight ! 

Sec. Git. We will be revenged. 

All. Eevenge ! About ! Seek ! Burn I Fire ! Kill I 
Slav ! Let not a traitor live I 



46 JULIUS CAESAR. 

Ant. Stay, countrymen. 

First Cit. Peace there ! hear the noble Antony. 

Sec. Cit. We'll hear him, we'll follow him, we'll 
die with him. 

Ant. Good friends, sweet friends, let me not stir 
you up 
To such a sudden flood of mutiny. 
They that have done this deed are honorable : 
What private griefs they have* alas, I know not, 
That made them do it : they are wise and honorable, 
And will, no doubt, with reasons answer you. 
I come not, friends, to steal away your hearts : 
I am no orator, as Brutus is ; 
But, as you know me all. a plain blunt man, 
That love my friend ; and that they know full well 
That gave me public leave to speak of him ; 
For I have neither wit, nor words, nor worth, 
Action, nor utterance, nor the power of speech, 
To stir men's blood : I only speak right on ; 
I tell you that which you yourselves do know ; 
Show you sweet Caesar's wounds, poor poor dumb 

mouths, 
And bid them speak for me : but were I Brutus, 
And Brutus Antony, there were an Antony 
Would ruffle up your spirits and put up a tongue 
In every wound of Caesar that should move 
The stones of Home to rise and mutiny. 

All. We'll mutiny. 

First Cit. We'll burn the house of Brutus. 

Third Cit. Away, then! come, seek the conspirators. 

Ant. Yet hear me, countrymen : yet hear me speak. 

All. Peace, ho ! Hear Antony. Most noble Antony ! 

Ant Why, friends, you go to do you know not what: 
Wherein hath Caesar thus deserved your loves ? 
Alas, you know not : I must tell you then : 
You have forgot the will I told you of. 

All. Most true: the will! Let's stay and hear the will. 

Ant. Here is the will, and under Caesar's seal. 



JULIUS CJESAK. 47 

To every Roman citizen he gives, 

To every several man, seventy-five drachmas. 

Sec. Cit Most noble Caesar! We'll revenge his death. 

Third Cit O royal Caesar ! 

Ant. Hear me with patience. 

AIL Peace, ho ! 

AjiL Moreover, he hath left you all his walks, 
His private arbors and new-planted orchards, 
On this side Tiber ; he hath left them you, 
And to your heirs for ever ; common pleasures, 
To walk abroad and recreate yourselves. 
Here was a Caesar ! when comes such another ? 

First Git. Never, never. Come, away, away ! 
We'll burn his body in the holy place, 
And with the brands fire the traitors' houses. 
Take up the body. 

Sec. Git. Go fetch fire. 

Third Git. Pluck down benches. 

Fourth Git. Pluck down forms, windows, any 
thing. [Exeunt Citizens with the body. 

Ant. Now let it work. Mischief, thou art afoot, 
Take thou what course thou wilt ! [Exeunt. 

Enter Cinna, the poet 

First Cit What is your name ? 

Sec. Cit. Whither you are going ? 

Third Cit W T here do you dwell ? 

Fourth Cit. Are you a married man or a bachelor ? 

Sec. Cit. Answer every man directly. 

First Cit Ay, and briefly. 

Fourth Cit. Ay, and wisely. 

Third Git Ay, and truly, you were best. 

Cin. What is my name ? Whither am I going ? 
Where do I dwell ? Am I a married man or a bache- 
lor ? Then, to answer every man directly and briefly, 
wisely and truly: wisely I say, I am a bachelor. 

Sec. Cit That's as much as to say, they are fools 
that marry : you'll bear me a bang for that, I fear. 
Proceed ; directly. 



48 JULIUS CJESAti. 

Gin. Directly, I am going to Caesar's funeral. 

First Git. As a friend or an enemy ? 

Gin. As a friend. 

Sec. Git. That matter is answered directly. 

Fourth Git. For your dwelling, briefly. 

Gin. Briefly, I dwell by the Capitol. 

Third Git. Your name, sir, truly. 

Gin. Truly, my name is Cinna. 

First Git. Tear him to pieces ; he's a conspirator. 

Gin. I am Cinna the poet, I am Cinna the poet: 

Fourth Git. Tear him for his bad verses, tear him 
for his bad verses. 

Gin. I am not Cinna the conspirator. 

Fourth Git. It is no matter, his name's Cinna; 
pluck but his name out of his heart, and turn him 
going. 

Third Git. Tear him, tear him ! Come, brands, 
ho ! firebrands : to Brutus', to Cassius' ; burn all : 
some to Decius' house, and some toCasca's; some to 
Ligarius' : away, go ! [Exeunt 

ACT IY. 

Gamp near Sardis. Bi^uim' tent. 
Drum. Enter Brutus, Lucilius, Lucius and Sol- 
diers ; Titinius and Pindarus meeting them. 

Bru. What now, Lucilius ! is Cassius near ? 

Lucil. He is at hand ; and Pindarus is come 
To do you salutation from his master. 

Bru. He greets me well. Your master, Pindarus. 
In his own change, or by ill officers, 
Hath given me some worthy cause to wish 
Things done, undone ; but if he be at hand, 
I shall be satisfied. 

Pin. I do not doubt 

But that my noble master will appear 
Such as he is, full of regard and honor. 

Bru. He is not doubted. A word, Lucilius 
How he received you : let me be resolved. 



JULIUS CJESAR. 49 

Lucil. With courtesy and with respect enough ; 
But not .with such familiar instances, 
Nor with such free and friendly conference, 
As he hath used of old. 

Bru. Thou hast described 

A hot friend cooling : ever note, Lucilius, 
When love begins to sicken and decay, 
It useth an enforced ceremony. 
There are no .tricks in plain and simple faith ; 
But hollow men, like horses hot at hand, 
Make gallant show and promise of their mettle ; 
But when they should endure the bloody spur, 
They fall their crests, and, like deceitful jades, 
Sink in the trial. Comes his army on ? 

Lucil. They mean this night in Sardis to be quar- 
ter'd ; 
The greater part, the horse in general, 
Are come with Cassius. [Low march within. 

Bru. Hark ! he is arrived. 

March gently on to meet him. 

Enter Cassius and his powers. 

Gas. Stand, ho ! 

Bru. Stand, ho ! Speak the word along. 

First Sol Stand ! 

Sec. Sol. Stand ! 

Third Sol. Stand ! 

Cas. Most noble brother, you have done me wrong. 

Bru. Judge me, you gods! wrong I mine enemies ? 
And, if not so, how should I wrong a brother ? 

Gas. Brutus, this sober form of yours hides wrongs; 
And when you do them — 

Bru. Cassius, be content ; 

Speak your griefs softly : I do know you well, 
Before the eyes of both our armies here, 
Which should perceive nothing but love from us, 
Let us not wrangle : bid them move away ; 
Then in my tent, Cassius, enlarge your griefs, 
And I will give you audience. 



50 JULIUS CJESAB. 

Lucilius, do you the like ; and let no man 

Come to our tent till we have done our conference. 

Let Lucius and Titinius guard our door. 

Cas. That you have wrong' d me doth appear in 
this : 
You have condemn' d and noted Lucius Pella 
For taking bribes here of the Sardians ; 
Wherein my letters, praying on his side, 
Because I knew the man, were slighted off. 

Bru. You wrong'd yourself to write in such a case. 

Cas. In such a time as this it is not meet 
That every nice offense should bear his comment. 

Bru. Let me tell you, Cassius, you yourself 
Are much condemn'd to have an itching palm ; 
To sell and mart your offices for gold 
To undeservers. 

Cas. I an itching palm ! 

You know that you are Brutus that speaks this, 
Or, by the gods, this speech were else your last. 

Bru. The name of Cassius honors this corruption, 
And chastisement doth therefore hide his head. 

Cas. Chastisement ! 

Bru. Kemember March, the Ides of March remem- 
ber : 
Did not great Julius bleed for justice sake ? 
What villain touch'd his body, that did stab, 
And not for justice ? What, shall one of us, 
That struck the foremost man of all this world 
But for supporting robbers, shall we now 
Contaminate our fingers with base tribes, 
And sell the mighty space of our large honors 
For so much trash as may be grasped thus ? 
I had rather be a dog, and bay the moon, 
Than such a Roman. 

Cas. Brutus, bait not me ; 

I'll not endure it ; you forget yourself, 
To hedge me in ; I am a soldier, I, 



JULIUS CAESAR. 51 

Older in practice, abler than yourself 
To make conditions. 

Bru. Go to ; you are not, Cassius, 

Cas. I am. 

Bru. I say yon are not. 

Cas. Urge me no more, I shall forget myself ; 
Have mind upon your health, tempt me no farther. 

Bru. Away, slight man ! 

Cas. Is't possible ? 

Bru. Hear me, for I will speak. 

Must I give way and room to your rash choler ? 
Shall I be frighted when a madman stares ? 

Cas. O ye gods, ye gods ! must I endure all this ? 

Bru. All this ! ay, more ; fret till your proud 
heart break ; 
Go show your slaves how choleric you are, 
And make your bondmen tremble. Must I budge, 
Must I observe you ? must I stand and crouch 
Under your testy humor ? By the gods, 
You shall digest the venom of your spleen, 
Though it do split you ; for, from this day forth, 
I'll use you for my mirth, yea, for my laughter, 
When you are waspish. 

Cas. Is it come to this ? 

Bru. You say you are a better soldier : 
Let it appear so ; make your vaunting true, 
And it shall please me well : for mine own part, 
I shall be glad to learn of noble men. 

Cas. You wrong me every way ; you wrong me, 
Brutus ; 
I said, an elder soldier, not a better : 
Did I say, better ? 

Bru. If you did, I care not. 

Cas, When Csesar lived, he durst not thus have 
moved me. 

Bru. Peace, peace ! you durst not so have tempted 
him. 

Cas. I durst not ! 



52 JULIUS G^JSAE. 

Bru. No. 

Gas. What, durst not tempt him ! 

Bru. For your life you durst not. 

Gas. Do not presume too much upon my love ; 
I may do that I shall be sorry for. 

Bru. You have done that you should be sorry for. 
There is no terror, Cassius, in your threats; 
For I am arm'd so strong in honesty 
That they pass by me as the idle wind, 
Which I respect not. I did send to you 
For certain sums of gold, which you denied me 
For I can raise no money by vile means : 
By heaven, I had rather coin my heart, 
And drop my blood for drachmas, than to wring 
From the hard hands of peasants their vile trash 
By any indirection : I did send 
To you for gold to pay my legions, 
Which you denied me : was that done like Cassius ? 
Should I have answer'd Caius Cassius so ? 
When Marcus Brutus grows so covetous, 
To lock such rascal counters from his friends, 
Be ready, gods, with all your thunderbolts, 
Dash him to pieces ! 

Gas. I denied you not. 

Bru. You did. 

Gas. I did not : he was but a fool 

That brought my answer back. Brutus hath rived 

my heart : 
A friend should bear his friend's infirmities, 
But Brutus makes mine greater than they are. 

Bru. T do not, till you practise them on me. 

Gas. You love me not. 

Bru. I do not like your faults. 

Gas. A friendly eye could never see such faults. 

Bru. A flatterer's would not, though they do 
appear 
As huge as high Olympus. 

Gas. Come, Antony, and young Octavius, come, 



JULIUS CJESAR. 53 

Revenge yourselves alone on Cassius, 

For Cassius is aweary of the world ; 

Hated by one he loves ; braved by his brother ; 

Check'd like a bondman ; all his faults observed, 

Set in a note-book, learn'd, and conn'd by rote, 

To cast into my teeth. O, I could weep 

My spirit from mine eyes ! There is my dagger, 

And here my naked breast ; within, a heart 

Dearer than Plutus' mine, richer than gold : 

If that thou be'st a Roman, take it forth ; 

I, that denied thee gold, will give my heart : 

Strike, as thou didst at Csesar ; for I know, 

When thou didst hate him worst, thou lovedst him 

better 
Than ever thou lovedst Cassius. 

Bru. Sheathe your dagger : 

Be angry when you will, it shall have scope ; 
Do what you will, dishonor shall be humor. 
O Cassius, you are yoked with a lamb. 

Gas. Hath Cassius lived 

To be but mirth and laughter to his Brutus. 
When grief and blood ill-temper' d vexeth him ? 

Bru. When I spoke that, I was ill-temper'd too. 

Cas. Do you confess so much? Give me your hand. 

Bru. And my heart too. 

Gas. O Brutus t 

Bru. What's the matter ? 

Gas. Have you not love enough to bear with me, 
When that rash humor which my mother gave me 
Makes me forgetful ? 

Bru. Yes, Cassius, and from henceforth, 

When you are over-earnest with your Brutus, 
He'll think your mother chides, and leave you so. 

Poet. [Within.] Let me go in to see the generals ; 
There is some grudge between 'em ; 'tis not meet 
They be alone. 

Lucil. f Within.] You shall not come to them. 

Poet [ Within,] Nothing but death shall stay me, 



54 JULIUS GJESAR. 

Enter Poet, followed by Lucilius, Titinius, and 
Lucius. 

Gas. How now ! what's the matter ? 

Poet. For shame, you generals! what do you mean? 
Love, and be friends, as two such men should be ; 
For I have seen more years, I'm sure, than ye. 

Cas. Ha, ha ! how vilely doth this cynic rhyme ! 

Bru. G-et you hence, sirrah; saucy fellow, hence! 

Cas. Bear with him, Brutus ; 'tis his fashion. 

Bru. I'll know his humor, when he knows his time : 
What should the wars do with these jigging fools ? 
Companion, hence ! 

Cas. Away, away, be gone ! [Exit Poet. 

Bru. Lucilius and Titinius, bid the commanders 
Prepare to lodge their companies to-night. 

Cas. And come yourselves, and bring Messala 
with you 
Immediately to us ; [Exeunt Lucilius and Titinius. 

Bru. Lucius, a bowl of wine ! [Exit Lucius. 

Cas. I did not think you could have been so angry. 

Bru. O Cassius, I am sick of many griefs. 

Cas. Of your philosophy you make no use, 
If you give place to accidental evils. 

Bru. No man bears sorrow better. Portia is dead. 

Cas. Ha! Portia! 

Bru. She is dead. 

Cas. How 'scaped I killing when I cross'd you so ? 
O insupportable and touching loss ! 
Upon what sickness ? 

Bru. Impatient of my absence, 

And grief that young Octavius with Mark Antony 
Have made themselves so strong : for with her death 
That tidings came : With this she fell distract, 
And, her attendants absent, swallow 'd fire. 

Cas. And die<J so ? 

Bru. Even so. 

Cos. O ye immortal gods ! 



JULIUS CAESAR. 55 

He-enter Lucius, with wine and taper, 

Bru. Speak no more of her. Give me a bowl of wine. 
In this I bury all unkindness, Cassius. [Drinks. 

Cas. My heart is thirsty for that noble pledge. 
Fill, tucius, till the wine o'erswell the cup ; 
I cannot drink too much of Brutus' love. [Di inks. 

Bru. Gome in, Titinius ! [Exit Lucius. 

Re-enter Titinius, with Messala. 

Welcome, good Messala, 
Now sit we close about this taper here, 
And call in question our necessities. 

Cas. Portia, art thou gone ? 

Bru. No more, I pray you. 

Messala, I have here received letters, 
That young Gctavius and Mark Antony 
Come down upon us with a mighty power, 
Bending their expedition toward Philippi. 

Mes. Myself have letters of the selfsame tenor. 

Bru, With what addition ? 

Mes. That by proscription and bills of outlawry, 
Gctavius, Antony, and Lepidus, 
Have put to death an hundred senators. 

Bru. Therein our letters do not well agree ; 
Miae speak of seventy senators that died 
By their proscriptions, Gicero being one. 

Gas. Cicero one ! 

Mes. Cicero is dead, 

And by that order of proscription. 
Ha I you your letters from your wife, my lord ? 

Bru. No, Messala. 

Mes. Nor nothing in your letters writ of her ? 

Bru. Nothing, Messala. 

Mes. That, methinks, is strange. 

Bru. Why ask you? hear you aught of her in yours' 

Mes. No, my lord. 

Bru. Now, as you are a Roman, tell me true. 

Mes. Then like a Roman bear the truth I tell : 
For certain she is dead, and by strange manner. 



56 JULIUS C^JSAR. 

Bru. Why, farewell, Portia. We must die, Messala: 
With meditating that she must die once 
I have the patience to eudure it now. 

Mes. Even so great men, great losses should endure. 

Cas. I have as much of this in art as you, 
But yet my nature could not bear it so. 

Bru. Well, to our work alive. What do you think 
Of marching to Philippi presently ? 

Cas. I do not think it good. 

Bru. Your reason ? 

Cas. This it is : 

'Tis better that the enemy seek us : 
So shall he waste his means, weary his soldiers, 
Doing himself offense ; whilst we, lying still, 
Are full of rest, defense, and nimbleness. 

Bru. Good reasons must of force give place to better. 
The people 'twixt Philippi and this ground 
Do stand but in a forced affection ; 
For they have grudged us contribution : 
The enemy, marching along by them, 
By them shall make a fuller number up, 
Come on refresh'd, new-added, and encouraged ; 
From which advantage shall we cut him off, 
If at Philippi we do face him there, 
These people at our back. 

Cas. Then, with your will, go on ; 

We'll along ourselves, and meet them at Philippi. 

Bru. The deep of night is crept upon our talk, 
And nature must obey necessity ; 
Which we will niggard with a little rest. 
There is no more to say ? 

Cas. No more. Good night : 

Early to-morrow will we rise and hence. 

Bru. Lucius! [Enter Lucius. \ My gown, [Exit Luc. 
Farewell, good Messala : 
Good night, Titinius : noble, noble Cassius, 
Good, night, and good repose. 



JULIUS CAESAR. 57 

Cas. O my dear brother ! 

This was an ill beginning of the night : 
x. ver come such division 'tween onr souls ! 
Lit it not, Brutus. 

Bru. Every thing is well. 

Cas. Good night, my lord 

Bru. Good night, good brother. 

Tit. Mes. Good night, Lord Brutus. 

Bru. Farewell, every one. [Exeunt all but Brutus. 
Re-enter Lucius, with the gown. 
Give me the gown. Where is thy instrument ? 

Luc. Here in the tent. 

Bru. What, thou speak 'st drowsily ? 

Poor knave, I blame thee not ; thou art o'erwatch'd. 
Call Claudius and some other of my men ; 
I'll have them sleep on cushions in my tent. 

Luc. Varro and Claudius ! 

Enter Varro and Claudius. 

Var. Calls my lord ? 

Bru. I pray you, sirs, lie in my tent and sleep ; 
It may be I shall raise you by and by 
On business to my brother Cassius. 

Var. So please you, we will stand and watch your 
pleasure. 

Bru. I will not have it so : lie down, good sirs : 
It may be I shall otherwise bethink me. 
Look Lucius, here's the book I sought for so ; 
I put it in the pocket of my gown. 

[Varro and Claudius lie do um % 

Luc. I was sure your lordship did not give it me. 

Bru. Bear with me, good boy, I am much forgetful. 
Can'st thou hold up thy heavy eyes awhile, 
And touch thy instrument a strain or two ? 

Luc. Ay. my lord, an't please you. 

Bru. It does, my boy : 

I trouble thee too much, but thou art willing. 

Luc. It is my duty, sir. 



58 JULIUS CuESAB. 

Bru. I should not urge thy duty past thy might ; 
I know young bloods look for a time of rest. 

Luc. I have slept, my lord, already. 

Bru. It was well done; and thou shalt sleep again; 
I will not hold thee long : if I do live, 
I will be good to thee. [Music, and a song. 

This is a sleepy tune. O murderous slumber, 
Lay'st thou thy leaden mace upon my boy, 
That plays thee music ? Gentle knave, good night ; 
I will not do thee so much wrong to wake thee : 
If thou dost nod, thou break'st thy instrument ; 
I'll take it from thee ; and, good boy> good night. 
Let me see, let me see ; is not the leaf turn'd down 
Where I lef fc reading ? Here it is, I think. 

Enter the Ghost of Caesar. 

How ill this taper burns ! Ha ! who comes here ? 
I think it is the weakness of mine eyes 
That shapes this monstrous apparition. 
It comes upon me. Art thou any thing ? 
Art thou some god, some angel, or some devil, 
That makest my blood cold and my hair to stare ? 
Speak to me what thou art. 

Ghost Thy evil spirit, Brutus. 

Bru, Why comes t thou ? 

Ghost. To tell thee thou shalt see me at Philippi. 

Bru. Well ; then I shall see thee again ? 

Ghost. Ay, at Philippi. 

Bru. Why, I will see thee at Philippi, then. 

[Exit Ghost. 
Now I have taken heart thou vanishest : 
111 spirit, I would hold more talk with thee. 
Boy, Lucius ! Varro ! Claudius ! Sirs, awake ! 
Claudius ! 

Luc. The strings, my lord, are false. 

Bru. He thinks he still is at his instrument, 
Lucius, awake ! 

Luc. My lord ? 



JULIUS C^SAR. 59 

Bru. Didst thou dream, Lucius, that thou so 
criedst out ? 

Luc. My lord, I do not know that I did cry. 

Bru. Yes, that thou didst : didst thou see any thing? 

Luc Nothing, my lord. 

Bru. Sleep again, Lucius. Sirrah Claudius f 
[To Varro] Fellow thou, awake! 

Voir. My lord? 

Glau. My lord? 

Bru. Why did you so cry out, sirs, in your sleep ? 

Var. Glau. Did we, my lord ? 

Bru. Ay : saw you any thing ? 

Var. No, my lord, I saw nothing. 

Glau. Nor I, my lord. 

Bru. Go and commend me to my brother Cassius; 
Bid him set on his powers betimes before, 
And we will follow. 

Var. Glau. It shall be done, my lord. [Exeunt. 

ACT V. 

Scene I. The plains of Philippi. 
Enter Octavixjs, Antony, and their Army. 

Oct. Now, Antony, our hopes are answered : 
You said the enemy would not come down, 
But keep the hills and upper regions ; 
It proves not so : their battles are at hand ; 
They mean to warn us at Philippi here, 
Answering before we do demand of them. 

Ant Tut, I am in their bosoms, and I know 
Wherefore they do it : they could be content 
To visit other places ; and come down 
With fearful bravery, thinking by this face 
To fasten in our thoughts that they have courage ; 
But 'tis not so. 

Enter a Messenger. 

Mess. Prepare you, generals : 

The enemy comes on in gallant show ; 



eo JULIUS CJZSAB. 

Their bloody sign of battle is hung out, 
And something to be done immediately. 

A ut. Octavius, lead your battle softly on, 
Upon the left hand of the even field. 

Oct. Upon the right hand I ; keep thou the left. 

A ut. Why do you cross me in this exigent ? 

Oct. I do not cross you; but I will do so. [March. 
Dram. Enter Brutus, Cassius, and their Army ; Lu- 
crLius, Titinius, Messala, and others. 

Brit. They stand, and would have parley. 

Cas. Stand fast, Titinius : we must out and talk. 

Oct. Mark Antony, shall we give srgn of battle ? 

Ant: No, Caesar, we will answer on their charge. 
\Iake forth ; the generals would have some words. 

Oct. Stir not until the signal. 

Bru. Words before blows : is it so, countrymen ? 

Oct, Not that we love words better, as you do. 

Bru. Good words are better than bad strokes. 
Octavius. 

Ant. In your bad strokes, Brutus, you give good 
words ! 
Witness the hole you made in Caesar's heart, 
Crying ' Long live ! hail, Caesar ! ' 

Gas. Antony, 

The posture of your blows are yet unknown ; 
But for your words, they rob the Hybla bees. 
And leave them honey less. 

Ant. Not stingless too. 

Bru. O, yes. and soundless too ; 
For you have stol'n their buzzing, Antony, 
And verv wisely threat before you sling. 

Ant. Villains, you did not so. when your vile daggers 
Hack'd one another in the sides of Caesar : 
You show'd your teeth like apes, and fawn'd like 

hounds, 
And bow'd like bondmen, kissing Caesar's feet ; 
Whilst damned Casca, like a cur, behind 
Struck Caesar on the neck. O you flatterers ! 



JULIUS CAESAR. 61 

Cas. Flatterers ! Now, Brutus, thank yourself : 
This tongue had not offended so to-day, 
If Cassius might have ruled. 

Oct.Come, come, the cause: if arguing make us sweat, 
The proof of it will turn to redder drops. 
Look ; 

I draw, a sword against conspirators; 
When think you that the sword goes up again ? 
Never, till Caesar's three and thirty wounds 
Be well avenged, or till another Caesar 
Have added slaughter to the sword of traitors. 

Bru. Caesar, thou canst not die by traitors' hands, 
Unless thou bring'st them with thee. 

Oct. So I hope ; 

I was not born to die on Brutus' sword. 

Bru. O, if thou wert the noblest of thv strain, 
Young man, thou couldst not die more honorable. 

Cas. A peevish schoolboy, worthless of such honor, 
Join'd with a masker and a reveller ! 

Ant. Old Cassius still ! 

Oct., Come, Antony, away ! 

Defiance, traitors, hurl we in your teeth : 
If you dare fight to-day, come to the field ; 
If not, when you have stomachs. 

[Exeunt Octavins, Antony, and their army. 

Cas. Why, now, blow wind, sweil billow and swim 
bark ! 
The storm is up, and all is on the hazard. 

Bru. Ho, Lucilins ! hark, a word with you. 

Lucil. [Standing forth. ] My lord ? 

[Brutus and Lucilins converse apart. 

Cas. . Messala ! 

Mes. [Standing forth*] What says my general ? 

Cas. Messala, 

This is my birthday ; as this very day 
Was Cassius born. Give me thy hand, Messala : 
Be thou my witness that against my will, 
As Pompey was, am I compeH r d to set 



62 JULIUS G^SAB. 

Upon one battle all onr liberties. 

You know that I held Epicurus strong 

And his opinion : now I change my mind, 

And partly credit things that do presage. 

Coming from Sardis, on our former ensign 

Two mighty eagles fell, and there they perch'd, 

Gorging and feeding from our soldiers' hands ; 

Who to Philippi here consorted us : 

This morning are they fled away and gone ; 

And in their steads do ravens, crows and kites 

Fly o'er our heads and downward look on us, 

As we were sickly prey : their shadows seem 

A canopy most fatal, under which 

Our army lies, ready to give up the ghost, 

Mes. Believe not so.^ 

Cos. I but believe it partly ; 

For I am- fresh of spirit and resolved 
To meet all perils very constantly. 

Bru. Even so, Lucilius. 

Cas. Now, most noble Brutus, 

The gods to-day stand friendly, that we may, 
Lovers in peace, lead on our days to age ! 
But since the affairs of men rest still incertain, 
Let's reason with the worst that may befall. 
If we do lose this battle, then is this 
The very last time we shall speak together : 
What are you then determined to do ? 

Bru. Even by the rule of that philosophy 
By which I did blame Cato for the death 
Which he did give himself, 
Arming myself with patience 
To stay the providence of some high powers 
That govern us below. 

Gas. Then, if we lose this battle, 

You are contented to be led in triumph 
Through the streets of Rome ? 

Bru. No,Cassius,no: think not, thou noble Roman, 
That ever Brutus will go bound to Rome ; 



JULIUS CsESAR. 63 

He bears too great a mind. But this same day 
Must end that work the Ides of March begun ; 
And whether we shall meet again I know not. 
Therefore our everlasting farewell take : 
For ever, and for ever, farewell, Cassius ! 
If we do meet again, why, Ave shall smile; 
If not, why then this parting was well made. 

Gas. For ever, and for ever, farewell, Brutus ! 
If we do meet again, we'll smile indeed : 
If not, 'tis true this parting was well made. 

Bru. Why, then, lead on. 0,that a man might know 
The end of this day's business ere it come ! 
But it sufficeth that the day will end, 
And then the end is known. Come, ho ! away ! 

[Exeunt. 
Alarum, Enter Bbuttjs and Messala. 

Bru. Bide, ride, Messala, ride, and give these bills 
Unto the legions on the other side. [Loud alarum. 
Let them set on at once ; for I perceive 
But cold demeanor in Octavius' wing, 
And sudden push gives them the overthrow. 
Bide, ride, Messala: let them all come down. [Exeunt, 
Alarums. Enter Cassius and Titinius. 

Gas. O, look, Titinius, look the villains fly ! 
Myself have to mine own turn'd enemy : 
This ensign here of mine was turning back ; 
I slew the coward, and did take it from him. 

Tit. O Cassius, Brutxis gave the word too early ; 
Who, having some advantage on Octavius, 
Took it too eagerly : his soldiers fell to spoil, 
Whilst we by Antony are all enclosed. 
Enter Pindakus. 

Pin. Fly further off my lord, fly further off ; 
Mark Antony is in your tents, my lord ; 
Fly, therefore, noble Cassius, fly far off. 

Gas. This hill is far enough. Look, look, Titinius; 
Are those my tents where I perceive the fire ? 



C4 JULIUS C/ESAR. 

Tit. They are, my lord. 

Cas. Titinius, if thou lovest me, 

Mount thou my horse and hide thy spurs in him, 
Till we have brought thee up to yonder troops 
And here again ; that I may rest assured 
Whether yond troops are friend or enemy. 

Tit. I will be here again, even with a thought. [Exit. 

Cas. Go, Pindarus, get higher on that hill ; 
My sight was ever thick ; regard Titinius, 
And tell me what thou notest about the field. 

[Pindarus ascends the hill. 
This day I breathed first : time is come round, 
And where I did begin, there shall I end ; 
My life is run his compass. Sirrah, what news ? 

Pin. [Above.] O my lord ! 

Cas. What news ? 

Pin. [Above.] Titinius is enclosed round about 
With horsemen, that make to him on the spur ; 
Yet he spurs on. Now they are almost on him. 
Now, Titinius ! Now some light. O, he lights too. 
He's ta'en. [Shout.] And, hark ! they shout for joy. 

Cas. Come down, behold no more. 
O, coward that I am, to live so long, 
To see my best friend ta'en before my face ! 

[Pindarus descends. 
Come hither, sirrah : 
In Parthia did I take thee prisoner ; 
And then I swore thee, saving of thy life, 
That whatsoever I did bid thee do, 
Thou shouldst attempt it. Come now, keep thine oath; 
Now be a freeman : and with this good sword, 
That ran through Caesar's bowels, search this bosom. 
Stand not to answer : here, take thou the hilts ; 
And, when my face is cover'd, as 'tis now, 
Guide thou the sword. [Pindarus stabs him.] Caesar, 

thou art revenged, 
Even with the sword that kill'd thee. [Dies. 



JULIUS CsESAR. 65 

Pin. So, I am free ; yet would not so have been, 
Durst I have done my will. O Cassius ! 
Far from this country Pindarus shall run, 
Where never Koman shall take note of him. [Exit 

Re-enter Titinius with Messala. 

Mes. It is but change, Titinius ; for Octavius 
Is overthrown by noble Brutus' power, 
As Cassius' legions are by Antony. 

Tit. These tidings will well comfort Cassius. 

Mes. vV here did you leave him ? 

Tit All disconsolate, 

With Pindarus his bondman, on this hill. 

Mes. Is not that he that lies upon the ground ? 

Tit He lies not like the living. O my heart 1 

Mes. Is not that he ? 

Tit No, this was he, Messala, 

But Cassius is no more. O setting sun, 
As in thy red rays thou dost sink to-night, 
So in his red blood Cassius' day is set : 
The sun of Rome is set ! Our day is gone ; 
Clouds, dews, and dangers come; our deeds are done! 
Mistrust of my success hath done this deed. 

Mes. Mistrust of good success hath done this deed. 
O hateful error, melancholy's child, 
Why dost thou show to the apt thoughts of men 
The things that are not ? O error, soon conceived, 
Thou never comest unto a happy birth, 
But kill'st the mother that engender 'd thee ! 

Tit What, Pindarus ! where art thou, Pindarus ? 

Mes. Seek him, Titinius, whilst I go to meet 
The noble Brutus, thrusting this report 
Into his ears : I may say, thrusting it ; 
For piercing steel and darts envenomed 
Shall be as welcome to the ears of Brutus 
As tidings of this sight. 

Tit. . Hie you, Messala, 

And I will seek for Pindarus the while. [Exit Messala. 



66 JULIUS CsESAR. 

Why didst thou send me forth, brave Cassius ? 
Did I not meet thy friends ? and did not they 
Put on my brows this wreath of victory, 
And bid me give it thee ? Didst thou not hear their 

shouts ? 
Alas, thou hast misconstrued every thing ! 
But, hold thee, take this garland on thy brow ; 
Thy Brutus bid me give it thee, and I 
Will do his bidding, Brutus, come apace, 
And see how I regarded Caius Cassius. 
By your leave, gods : this is a Roman's part : 
Come, Cassius' sword, and find Titinius' heart. 

[Kills himself. 

Alarum. Re-enter Messala, with Brutus, young 
Cato, Steato, Volumnius and Lucelius. 

Bru. Where, where, Messala, doth his body lie ? 

Mes. Lo, yonder, and Titinius mourning it. 

Bru. Titinius' face is upward. 

Cato. He is slain. 

Bru. O Julius Csesar, thou art mighty yet ! 
Thy spirit walks abroad, and turns our swords 
In our own proper entrails. [Low alarums. 

Cato. Brave Titinius ! 

Look, whether he have not crown'd dead Cassius ! 

Bru. The last of all the Romans, fare thee well ! 
It is impossible that ever Rome 
Should breed thy fellow. Friends, I owe moe tears 
To this dead man than yon shall see me pay. 
I shall find time, Cassius, I shall find time. 
Come, therefore, and to Thasos send his body: 
His funerals shall not be in our camp, 
Lest it discomfort us. Lucilius, come; 
And come, young Cato ; let us to the field. 
Labeo and Flavius, set our battles on : 
'Tis three o'clock ; and, Romans, yet ere night 
We shall try fortune in a second fight. [Exeunt. 



JULIUS C^S8AR. 67 

Alarum. Enter fighting, Soldiers of both armies; 

then Brutus, young Cato, Luctlius, and others. 

Cato. I am the son of Marcus Cato, ho ! 

First Sold. Yield, or thou diest. 

Luc. Only I yield to die : 

There is so much that thou wilt kill me straight ; 

[ Offering money. 
Kill Brutus, and be honor'd in his death. 

First Sold. We must not. A noble prisoner ! 

Sec. Sold. Koom, ho ! Tell Antony, Brutus is ta'en. 

First Sold. I'll tell the news. Here comes the 
general. 

Enter Antony. 
Brutus is ta'en, Brutus is ta'en, my lord. 

Ant. Where is he ? 

Lucil. Safe, Antony; Brutus is safe enough: 
I dare assure thee that no enemy 
Shall ever take alive the noble Brutus : 
The gods defend him from so great a shame ! 
When you do find him, or alive or dead, 
He will be found like Brutus, like himself. 

. Ant. This is not Brutus, friend; but, I assure you, 
A prize no less in worth : keep this man safe ; 
Give him all kindness : I had rather have 
Such men my friends than enemies. Go on, 
And see whether Brutus be alive or dead ; 
And bring us word unto Octavius' tent 
How every thing is chanced. [Exeunt. 

Enter Brutus, Dardanius, Clitus, Strato, and 

VOLUMNIUS. 

Bru, Come, poor remains of friends, rest on this 

rock. 
Gli. Statilius show'd the torch-light, but my lord, 
He came not back : he is or ta'en or slain. 

Bru. Sit thee down, Clitus: slaying is the word ; 
It is a deed in fashion. Hark thee, Clitus. 

[ Whispering. 



68 JULIUS Cs&SAR. 

Gli. What/ 1, my lord ? No, not for all the world. 

Bru. Peace then I no words. 

Gli. I'll rather kill myself. 

Bru. Hark thee, Dar damns. [ Whispering. 

Bar. Shall I do such a deed ? 

Gli. O Dardanins. 

Bar. O Clitns ! 

Gli. What ill reqnest did Brutus make to thee ? 

Bar. To kill him, Clitns. Look, he meditates. 

Gli. Now is that noble vessel fnll of grief, 
That it rnns over even at his eyes. 

Bru. Come hither, good Volnmnins ; list a word. 

Vol. What says my lord ? 

Bru. Why, this, Volnmnins : 

The ghost of Csesar hath appear' d to me 
Two several times by night ; at Sardis once, 
And this last night here in Philippi fields : 
I know my honr is come. 

Vol. Not so, my lord. 

Bru. Nay, I am snre it is, Volnmnins. 
Thou seest the world, Volnmnins, how it goes ; 
Onr enemies have beat ns to the pit: [Low alarums. 
It is more worthy to leap in ourselves, 
Than tarry till they push us. Good Volumnius, 
Thou know'st that we two went to school together ; 
Even for that our love of old, I prithee, 
Hold thou my sword-hilts, whilst I run on it. 

Vol. That's not an office for a friend, my lord. 

[Alarum still. 

Gli. Fly, fly, my lord ; there is no tarrying here. 

Bru. Farewell to you; and yon; and you, Volumnius. 
Strato, thou hast been all this while asleep ; 
Farewell to thee, too, Strato. Countrymen, 
My heart doth joy that yet in all my life 
I found no man but he was true to me. 
I shall have glory by this losing day, 
More than Octa^ius and Mark Antony 
By this vile conquest shall attain unto. 



JULIUS CAESAR. 69 

So, fare you well at once ; for Brutus' tongue 
Hath almost ended his life's history : 
Night hangs upon mine eyes ; my bones would rest, 
That have but labor'd to attain this hour. 

[Alarum. Cry within, ' Fly, fly, fly ! ' 
Cli. Fly, my lord, fly. 
Bru. Hence ! I will follow. 

[Exeunt Cliius, Dardanius, and Volumnius. 
I prithee, Strato, stay thou by the lord : 
Thou art a fellow of a good respect , 
Thy life hath had some smatch of honor in it : 
Hold then my sword, and turn away thy face, 
While I do run upon it. Wilt thou, Strato ? 

Stra. Give me your hand first. Fare you well, 

my lord. 
Bru. Farewell, good Strato. [Buns on his sword.] 
Caesar, now be still : 
I kill'd not thee with half so good will. [Dies. 

Alarum. Betreat. Enter Octavtus, Antony, Mes- 
SAiiA, Lucilius, and the army. 

Oct. What man is that ? 

Mes. My master's man. Strato. where is thy 
master ? 

Stra. Free from the bondage you are in, Messala: 
The conquerors can but make a fire of him ; 
For Brutus only overcame himself, 
And no man else hath honor by his death. 

Lucil. So Brutus should be found. I thank thee, 
Brutus, 
That thou hast proved Lucilius' saying true. 

Oct. All that served Brutus, I will entertain them, 
Fellow, wilt thou bestow thy time with me ? 

Stra. Ay, if Messala will prefer me to you. 

Oct. Do so, good Messala. 

Mes. How died my master, Strato ? 

Stra. I held the sword, and he did run on it. 



70 JULIUS CJE8AR. 

Mes. Octavius, then take hira to follow thee, 
That did the latest service to my master. 

Ant. This was the noblest Eoman of them all : 
All the conspirators, save only he, 
Did that they did in envy of great Caesar ; 
He only, in a general honest thought 
And common good to all, made one of them. 
His life was gentle, and the elements 
So mix'd in him that Nature might stand up 
And say to all the world ' This was a man ! ' 

Oct. According to his virtne let us use him, 
With all respect and rites of burial, 
Within my tent his bones to-night shall lie, 
Most like a soldier, order 'd honorably. 
So call the field to rest ; and let's away, 
To part the glories of this happy day. [Exeunt. 




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